Berkshire Piano Academy is a nonprofit summer intensive dedicated to the study, performance, and transmission of classical piano at the highest level.
Each summer, a small cohort of exceptional young pianists gathers in Great Barrington for a week of intensive study with acclaimed faculty Martin Labazevitch and Golda Vainberg-Tatz, joined each year by distinguished guest artists. Through daily lessons, masterclasses, workshops, collaborative study, and performance, students are challenged not only to deepen their technical and artistic abilities, but also to develop the habits of listening, curiosity, discipline, and imagination that sustain a life in music.
Unlike many festivals or competitions, the Academy emphasizes close mentorship within a small community. Students observe one another's lessons, learn from one another's questions, and experience the artistic process as an ongoing conversation rather than a series of isolated performances.
Many Academy events—including guest artist masterclasses, open studio sessions, and student performances—are open to the public, offering audiences a rare opportunity to witness the process by which musical interpretation is refined and shared. These events invite listeners behind the scenes of classical music, illuminating the relationships between teacher and student, score and sound, discipline and inspiration.
Rooted in the cultural life of the Berkshires, the Berkshire Piano Academy seeks to nurture the next generation of pianists while enriching the region through exceptional music-making, thoughtful teaching, and meaningful public engagement.
