International Piano Festival

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.

Artist Division

Highly advanced applicants who are currently enrolled at undergraduate and graduate programs, or recent gradutes, will be selected for the College Div. Participants will be assigned to rotating study groups, giving each student the opportunity to receive four lessons or masterclass. In addition to lessons, participants will be invited to perform in the evening recitals. Artist Division participants will be invited to perform at the final Artist Division Competitive Recital. No age limit. Duet activities available.

Rising Artist Division

Rising Artist Division is open to progressing pianists, age 13 or older. students will receive three lessons (or two lessons and one masterclass) from UFIPF faculty as well as duet coaching. Additionally, the participants will receive classes such as Music Theory/Piano Literature. Rising Artist Division participants will be invited to perform at the final Rising Artist Division Competitive Recital. Duet activities available.

Please Note: Enrollment is limited. The application deadline is April 1, but applications will be considered as they are received. Participants will be notified upon acceptance and given instructions for completing their registration. Enrollment for the Artist Division and Rising Artist Division is audition-based.

About UF School of Music

The University of Florida School of Music is an All-Steinway School residing within one of the top-ranked public universities in the United States. Participants will experience first-rate instruments as well as excellent practice and performance spaces within the beautiful UF campus. Room and board will be provided on campus, offering convenient walking access to all activities. Gainesville is located in the north-central part of Florida, with nearby access to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and the major cities of Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville.

Accommodations & Travel

Accommodations

UFIPF Room & Board fee includes:

8-night stay at a university dorm (double occupancy, check-in June 6 and check out June 14, 2025) -single occupancy room may be available at an additional cost. Participants will be responsible for bringing their own linens. Optional linen rental service availalable for participants who fly in.
3 meals per day from June 7 to June 13, and breakfast on June 14

*Separate meal tickets can be purchased by commuter participants

Travel Information
All participants must arrive on June 6 for activities to begin the morning of June 7. UFIPF will conclude around noon of June 14. The recommended airport is Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), which is 10-15 minute ride from campus. Jacksonville (JAX), Orlando (MCO) are also options, but will require car/bus transport or renting a car.

Festival Participants will stay at a dorm on UF Campus (TBA).
More detailed information will be sent to the accepted participants.

Hotel Information
For visitors and participants who prefer to stay at a nearby hotel, here are the hotels that are in the walking distance to the UF School of Music:

Holiday Inn Gainesville- University Center
1250 W. University Ave
Gainesville, Florida, 32601

AC Hotel by Mariott Gainesville Downtown
151 NW 14th Street
Gainesville, Florida 32603

UF Reiz Union Hotel
686 Museum Rd, Ground Level
Gainesville, Florida 32611
352-392-2151

Hotel Eleo at the University of Florida
1514 SW 14th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32608
352-565-3750

Application Procedures

Complete the online application (application fee: $40) – Application fee is non-refundable. Online Application will be available shortly
Please indicate your birthdate (MM/DD/YY) in the comments section.
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
— A short statement (less than 300 words) describing your musical background and why you want to participate in the UFIPF
— Letter of recommendation from your current piano teacher (to be sent directly to UFIPF@arts.ufl.edu )
Participants will be notified upon acceptance and given instructions for completing their registration.

*Applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships based on the submitted materials.

Registration Timeline (2025)

April 1: Application deadline
April 7: Applicants will be notified of the acceptance and scholarship status. Applicants are asked to notify their intention to participate by April 11
May 1: Deadline for Tuition payment
May 10: Deadline for Room & Board payment

Tuition 2025

Artist Division/Rising Artist Division

Application Fee: $40 (non-refundable)
Festival Tuition: $750 (merit-based partial or full scholarship available)
Room & Board: $600 (double-occupancy. single room with an additional fee may be available if space permits)

Learn more

Contact

Sponsors

This year’s festival is presented by the UF School of Music with support from Florida Division of Arts and Culture, UF College of the Arts, UF School of Music, UF Bookstore, Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A., The Trophy Shop, Hoggtowne Music, Gainesville Piano Group, Barbara Beynon & Charles Williams, Sharon & Jim Theriac, Becky and Richard Howard, Brenda & Russell Robinson, Stuart and Charna Cohn, Carol & William Kem, Gerald & Sara Stein, David & Carole Silverman, Roslyn & Norman Levy, Carolyn Troupin, Richard & Sue Moyer, Jean P. Feingold, Walter & Carol Wynn, and other generous individuals.

Make a donation

UFIPF brings you fifteen events during the month of June 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!!

Make a gift