In the Loop
Press Release : May 28, 2015

Pianists From Around the World Gather for the 2015 University of Florida International Piano Festival June 13-20

Thirty outstanding college and pre-college pianists from seven countries will gather once again at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, Florida, June 13-20, 2015 for the 2015 UF International Piano Festival. Student participants will enjoy lessons and masterclasses with distinguished teachers from across North America and China while the public can attend daily free masterclasses and recitals.

Originating in 2007 as the Chinese-American International Piano Institute (CAIPI), the festival has hosted some of the finest performers and teachers from around the world. This year’s participants will experience first-rate instruments as well as excellent practice and performance spaces on UF’s beautiful campus. This year’s festival is presented by the UF School of Music with support from the UF Office of Research, UF Health, Visit Gainesville, The Trophy Shop and Hoggtowne Music.

This year’s guest artist faculty members are: Natalya Antonova of Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York; Robert Roux of Rice University, Houston, Texas; Roberta Rust of Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida; Xiaofeng Zhang of the China Conservatory, Beijing, China; and Kevin Robert Orr from UF.

“UFIPF 2015 promises to once again thrill the Gainesville community with a full schedule of concerts and masterclasses, all free and open to the public,” said Kevin Robert Orr, director. “Afternoon masterclasses and nightly concerts will feature young artists from Canada, China, Japan, Russia, Slovenia, South Korea and the United States performing the masterworks of Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Liszt, Mozart and many others.”

Here is a schedule of this year’s public events. All events take place in the Music Building, Room 101 unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, June 13: 
3:30-5:30 p.m.: Masterclass with Kevin Robert Orr
7:30 p.m.: Participant Recital 

Sunday, June 14: 
3:30-5:30 p.m.: Masterclass with Natalya Antonova
7:30 p.m.: Participant Recital 

Monday, June 15: 
12 p.m.: Participant Recital at UF Health Shands Hospital, South Tower
3:30-5:30 p.m.: Masterclass with Roberta Rust
7:30 p.m.: Participant Recital 

Wednesday, June 17: 
3:30-5:30 p.m.: Masterclass with Robert Roux
7:30 p.m.: Participant Recital 

Thursday, June 18: 
3:30-5:30 p.m.: Masterclass with Xiaofeng Zhang 
7:30 p.m.: Participant Recital 

Friday, June 19: 
12 p.m.: Participant Recital at UF Health Shands Hospital, North Tower
7:30 p.m.: Participant Recital 

Saturday, June 20: 
10 a.m.: Pre-College Solo Competition
1:30 p.m.: Final Participant Recitals

To learn more, visit www.arts.ufl.edu/pianofestival. Join the conversation online by using the hashtag #UFIPF15.

About the UF School of Music
The School of Music is one of the University of Florida College of the Arts’ three institutionally-accredited schools. The School of Music plays an important role in the academic life of the University and the community. The school’s programs provide broad-based instruction in performance, composition, history and literature and music disciplines, through a strong curriculum as well as through professional experiences such as ensembles and internships. UF students also have the opportunity to join more than a dozen music ensembles, including jazz bands, the University Choir, the UF Symphony Orchestra and the “Pride of the Sunshine” Fightin’ Gator Marching Band. To learn more, visit www.arts.ufl.edu/music.

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Media Contact
Leah Craig, Public Relations and Marketing Manager
University of Florida College of the Arts
Office: 352.273.1489 | Cell: 904.419.3346 
lcraig@arts.ufl.edu