The European Academy of Arts’ Aspiring Artist Program (AAP) was created to nurture the most gifted students, who intend to pursue a career in performing or fine arts. A rigorous program of learning, performing, competing and testing requires lasting commitment from the students and their families. In return, graduates of the AAP may expect to excel nationally in their chosen disciplines. EAA has established ties with leading schools, such as The Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music, music festivals, such as Music Academy of the West, Ravinia, Aspen, and Washington Performing Arts. AAP students are expected to perform on and outside the EAA campus, participate in master classes of guest faculty and artists, participate in chamber music projects, EAA community outreach events, compete locally, nationally and internationally.

Each Aspiring Artist Program student must pass:

1. Live-performance audition, for which three pieces of contrasting styles, including at least one movement of sonata or sonatina by Clementi, Hummel, Dussek, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert, and one virtuoso etude by Chopin, Czerny, Kramer, Clementi, Rachmaninoff, Liapunov, Skryabin, Liszt, Messiaen, or Ligeti;

2. Written test, during which basic knowledge of music theory, including clefs, intervals, chords, chord-progressions, figured bass are tested;

3. Interview, during which student must show at least basic knowledge of music history, literature, genres and forms.

The goal of the admission process is to ensure that only students with a suitable mindset and passion for music are admitted to the exclusive program.

Every aspiring artist has to gain performance experience from an early age. EAA provides plentiful opportunities for performing solo and chamber music on-and-off-campus. We also are happy to provide students through their faculty recommendations for local, national and international competitions of note. As an institution, we endorse only those competitions which award performance and monetary prizes for young contestants to help promote their careers. Local competitions of note include the WIPF International Competition, Steinway competition, Chopin Kosciuszko competition, and EAA Aspiring Artists International Piano and Strings Competition. Lists of competitions, festivals and deadlines are available at the EAA Office. Additionally, please make sure your contact information is in our newsletter system, and you will receive regular updates on the upcoming major music events, for which your child may opt to prepare.

Masterclasses by world’s leading musicians are regularly presented at EAA. Only Aspiring Artist Program students are eligible to sign-up for the masterclasses. It is a unique opportunity for our students to perform in front of, and receive advice from the likes of John O’Conor, Stanislav Khristenko, Simone Dinnerstein, Emmanuel Ax, Leon Fleisher, and other artists of supreme stature.

The ultimate test of performer’s ability, international competitions, members of the WFIMC (World Federation of International Music Competitions), are endorsed by The European Academy of Arts. Our goal is to see Aspiring Artist Program graduates conquer the world of music on the coveted stages of Berlin, London, Moscow, Brussels, Utrecht, Fort Worth, Geneva, Warsaw and Tokyo. Alink-Argerich Foundation publishes annual brochures, which include existing and upcoming major international music competitions. Information on the competitions and deadlines will also be available throughout notices, newsletters and on site. Please discuss any of the competitions of interest with your EAA faculty and secure their endorsement. EAA will support your application by providing recommendation letters, serving as a point-of-contact between the competition office and participant, if necessary. We take pride in our students performing on the world stage!

Each Aspiring Artist Program student must pass two annual tests, during which he or she will be asked to play:

• Several random exercises from Hanon and Pischna methods, two parallel major and minor scales, contrary motion, full-pattern, two etudes by Czerny from op. 299 or 740, Clementi “Gradus ad Parnassum”, Kramer, Chopin, Rachmaninov or Liszt.

• At the end of every semester, AAP student must prepare a program of at least 20 minutes, including one movement of a Sonata by Clementi, Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven, one miniature from the Romantic period (Mendelssohn Songs without Words, Grieg Lyrical Pieces, Chopin Nocturnes, etc.) and one or more pieces of a contrasting style of their choice.

• Each AAP student must perform in at least two EAA school events.

• Finally, every AAP student must accumulate 90 credits per school year. 30 credits shall be awarded for the principal instrument or voice studies, individual weekly lessons. Another 30 credits must be acquired by taking a group music theory course. The remaining 30 credits can be obtained, for instance, by participating in the EAA chamber orchestra (string and wind instruments) for 15 credits and by accruing the additional 15 credits for 3 qualifying performances (5 credits each). Other students (piano/voice) may opt to participate in 6 annual performances to accrue the remaining 30 credits.

EAA Aspiring Artist Program students have exclusive access to:

• sign-up for guest master classes with renowned musicians.

• right to audition for select gala and special on-site and off-site performances.

• to record audition or recital program (up to four hours of recording time during select times available) at the EAA venue (booking in advance is required).

• to receive additional individual lessons at a discounted rate in preparation for competitions and important performances.

• to receive one free evaluation of their recording by select EAA faculty.

• to receive recommendation letters from EAA for their off-site and music applications.