International Piano Festival
School of Music
Time
Saturday, May 30, 2026 - Sunday, May 31, 2026
Cost
$50.00 (Application Fee (Deadline April 25))
Venue
UF School of Music
Address
435 Newell Dr.
Gainesville, Florida
May 30 – May 31
$50
Application Fee (Deadline April 25)
Day 1 (May 30): Festival Competition, Festival Artist Concert, Reception
Day 2 (May 31): Masterclass, UF School of Music
The International Piano Festival at the University of Florida assembles promising young pianists for lessons and masterclasses with distinguished piano teachers from North America and across the globe. Originating in 2007 as the Chinese-American International Piano Institute (CAIPI), the event has hosted some of the finest performers and teachers from around the world.
Please note that the 2026 festival will take a 1.5-day format due to the School of Music renovation project over the summer.
Registration Timeline (2026)
Application deadline: April 25
Festival Competition requirements:
- Ages between 13-18
- Must perform at least two pieces in contrasting styles
- Minimum length: approx. 8 minutes
- Maximum length: approx.. 15 minutes
Festival Fee: $0 (All the accepted participants’ festival fees are covered by the scholarship from the festival sponsors)
Festival fee includes participation in the festival competition, a ticket to the festival artist concert, reception, and a masterclass.
Festival Competition Awards
- First Prize: $500
- Second Prize: $300
- Third Prize: $150
Application Procedures
Complete the online application (application fee: $50) – Application fee is non-refundable.
- Send the following items electronically to UFIPF@arts.ufl.edu
— Video files or links (YouTube, etc.) of at least two contrasting works performed by the applicant (it can be the same or different from the pieces you wish to perform at the festival) - List of the pieces you wish to perform at the festival competition and timing for each piece.
Accommodations & Travel
Participants are responsible for securing their own hotel accommodation, as the festival does not offer accommodation through the UF housing office this year.
Holiday Inn University (across the UF campus, about 12 min walk to School of Music) offers a discount for the UFIPF participants:
Holiday Inn Gainesville- University Center
1250 W. University Ave
Gainesville, Florida, 32601
Festival Artists/Competition Judges
Festival Director
Make a donation
UFIPF brings you fifteen events each year, all of them open to the public, free of charge. The festival attracts many young talents nationally and internationally as well as world-renowned guest artists. If you enjoyed any of our concerts, please consider becoming a sponsor to help us continue to bring young talents to Gainesville!!