Piano Workshop

Enrollment is open without audition to any child who has completed three years of piano study. This is not an appropriate class for students who do not have foundational piano skills.

Piano Performance Intensive Required Attire
Concert clothing is dressy casual

9:00-10:00
Group activities
10:00-11:20
Practice with teacher supervision (teachers circulate to each practice room and give lessons or practice help)
11:30-12:00
Lunch
12:15-1:00
Group activities
1:00 until 2:30-3:30
Practice with teacher supervision

Students bring pieces they have performed, pieces half-learned, and new pieces suggested by their teacher, and together we make decisions about what they will work on and perform at Idyllwild. They also play duets and full ensemble pieces with the other students. Group activities include musical games, theory, improvisation, active listening, playing for each other and offering supportive suggestions, and practicing their group pieces.

Some days we move to the Children’s Center at 2:30, where all the children’s programs share what they have been doing. Other days they practice until 3:30, and some students are motivated to practice even longer. When they are done with piano, they have free time for camp activities before and after dinner.

Laura Spitzer is a Professor of Piano at New Mexico State University. Prior to coming to NMSU in Fall, 2000, she was a touring concert pianist for 16 years. She has performed under contract with the Community Concert Association, and appeared with symphonies such as the Los Angeles Concordia Orchestra, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Reno Philharmonic, the Nevada Symphony, and the Owensboro Symphony.

Laura Spitzer attended Oberlin Conservatory for one year, and completed her undergraduate studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, where she was awarded the Bösendorfer Stipend and graduated with distinction. After touring with the Austrian Ensemble for New Music, recording numerous programs for Austrian Radio and taking first prize at the Kurt Leimer Competition, she earned her Master’s Degree at the Peabody Institute. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California, where she served as Assistant Lecturer of Keyboard Studies and received the department’s teaching award in 1991. Her principal teachers have been Walton Ball, Hans Leygraf, Leon Fleisher, and John Perry.