2026 Program

Information

Each summer, the Berkshire Piano Academy brings together a small circle of advanced and professional pianists for a week of concentrated study, artistic risk, and shared musical life.

The 2026 session takes place at Saint James Place in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in the height of the Berkshire season. Participants engage in lessons with every member of our core faculty, studio workshops and masterclasses, and sustained, focused practice.

Our days culminate in performance — both our own and at the Tanglewood Music Festival — situating our work within the larger tradition we serve.

A Distinctive Approach

The Berkshire Piano Academy is intentionally small. With a limited number of participants, each pianist receives sustained attention from every member of our core faculty, creating unusual depth over the course of a single week.

The program is designed not as a competition, but as a laboratory — a place to test ideas, refine interpretation, and engage deeply with repertoire in the company of serious peers. The atmosphere is collegial and focused, shaped by musicians who are committed to thoughtful work and artistic growth.

Our aim is not only technical advancement, but artistic clarity: helping each pianist strengthen their own voice within the great tradition of the instrument.

Curriculum & Sample Activities

  • Individual lessons with our internationally acclaimed core faculty

  • Studio workshops and masterclasses, including sessions with distinguished guest artists

  • Open performance forums with faculty and peers

  • Public recital performance at Saint James Place in Great Barrington

  • Events at the Tanglewood Music Festival, shared with faculty and fellow participants

  • Daily dedicated practice time, along with informal opportunities for conversation and exchange over meals and in common spaces


    Note: Final program details and daily schedule will be shared with participants in advance of arrival. Activities are subject to change.

Tuition & Fees

Application Fee (non-refundable): $150
Tuition: $1,600

If you have the capacity to contribute beyond tuition, a tax-deductible gift to the Berkshire Piano Academy Scholarship Fund strengthens the program and helps build future access for emerging artists.

Accommodations

Participants are responsible for arranging their own housing during the program week. Great Barrington and the surrounding towns of Egremont, Lenox, Lee, and Stockbridge offer a range of Airbnb rentals, inns, and hotels within a short driving distance of Saint James Place.

Because the Berkshires are a popular summer destination, we strongly encourage participants to secure accommodations promptly upon acceptance to the program.

Please note: Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Travel

Participants should plan to have access to a car during the program week. The Berkshires have limited public transportation, and reliable independent mobility is essential.

Those flying may consider renting a car at Albany International Airport (approximately 60 minutes from Great Barrington), Hartford’s Bradley International Airport (approximately 90 minutes), or Boston’s Logan International Airport (approximately 2 hours)

Bus service from New York or Boston is available to Great Barrington, MA. Amtrak service is available to Pittsfield, MA (with limited scheduling), or to Hudson, NY (approximately one hour from Great Barrington). Participants arriving by bus or train must arrange onward transportation in advance.