Collaborative Piano Institute

The Program

The Collaborative Piano Institute is for pianists ages 18-29. Students accepted into this advanced, 7-week program will concentrate on collaborative activities under the guidance of Deloise Lima. Each student enrolled in the Collaborative Program will be assigned to a variety of instrumental studios, and will be responsible for the accompaniment needs of those studios in lessons, studio classes, masterclasses, performances, and concerto competition contestants. 

Watch this short YouTube video from Director Deloise Lima to learn more!

All students in the Collaborative Piano program:

  • rehearse and perform in orchestra and various ensembles 
  • receive weekly private lessons
  • may participate in formal chamber music study coached by BMC's artist faculty
  • may perform in solo and chamber concerts
  • may participate in masterclasses
  • may attend open rehearsals with world-renowned concert soloists
  • may attend other orchestra, chamber, solo, and opera performances

All collaborative piano students will be able to perform with various festival orchestras. The Brevard Concert Orchestra is comprised of high school orchestral studies students under BMC's Artistic Director Keith Lockhart and BMC's Resident Conductor Ken Lam. Orchestral studies students in BMC's College Division work side by side with the artist faculty in the Brevard Music Center Orchestra, the Music Center's flagship ensemble. The orchestra performs important repertoire under its Artistic Director Keith Lockhart and distinguished visiting conductors. College Division students also perform in the Brevard Sinfonia, a chamber orchestra that likewise works under the Artistic Director and guests. Each summer world-renowned soloists appear with the BMC Orchestras.

The College Division is for students ages 18 through 29 who have completed at least one year as a full-time college student. In addition to current undergraduates, many students in the program have graduated or are presently enrolled for graduate study.

Dates and Deadlines

Program Dates: June 16 - August 3, 2025
Deadline: March 15, 2025 - Start your application now and come back to it at any time!
Ages: 18-29
Scholarships: BMC offers both merit scholarship and financial aid support as part of the application process
Application fee: $65

Tuition and Payment Schedule

Tuition for the seven-week Collaborative Piano Institute is $9200, less any scholarships received. The tuition fee includes all instruction, housing, meals, on-campus health services, and concert admission. Each participant is responsible for travel to and from Brevard.

A non-refundable enrollment fee of $950 is due within 10 days of acceptance and applies toward the cost of tuition. The remaining tuition balance is due by May 15.

Refunds

All payments, except the $65 application fee and $950 enrollment fee, will be fully refunded if the Center receives notice of cancellation due to serious illness before May 15. Written verification from an M.D. is required before a refund can be made. No reduction in fees can be made for late arrival or early departure. No refunds will be made after May 15.

Scholarships

Brevard Music Center offers scholarship support according to a student's audition and demonstrated financial need, and program need. In recent years, Brevard has provided scholarship support to more than 70% of its students. Scholarship support includes merit, need-based, and the BMC Opportunity Scholarship open to students of Black and Latinx descent. 

Please visit the Scholarship section of our FAQ page for more information.

Teaching Assistants and Resident Assistants

Teaching assistants (TA) and resident assistants (RA) have the same ensemble and performance opportunities as other students. TAs and RAs pay only a non-refundable enrollment fee of $950 which covers tuition, room, and board, and must be 21 or older by the start date of their program.

Teaching Assistant

A limited number of TA positions are available in Collaborative Piano. Duties for teaching assistants may include coaching younger students, teaching classes, and assisting faculty. 

Resident Assistant

A limited number of RA positions are available. Brevard's RAs supervise student living quarters and provide guidance to younger students. Two RAs live in each high school residence; one RA lives in each college residence. 

Selected individuals will participate in a telephone interview, and, if chosen, submit to a formal background check and participate fully in the RA orientation sessions prior to student arrival. Note: Resident Assistants must arrive on Monday, June 9 and depart on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Audition Requirements

Students applying for this program should have a broad range of experience in the field of accompanying.

Submit two examples of collaborative material from the standard repertoire i.e., sonatas, trios, other chamber music. You may include art songs, as well.

Do not send concerto reductions. Video auditions are preferred and encouraged. Submissions do not have to be one continuous take; once you add one selection, the option to add another will appear. 

Apply Now