Tianjin Juilliard Piano Festival offers a vibrant environment where pianists are inspired by the highest levels of music making throughout the program. The festival invites the world’s finest master teachers and an exceptional group of young pianists ages 8-26 in master classes and performances.

This year, the festival launches the Piano Immersion Camp which is designed for young pianists who are preparing to study abroad or participate in international competitions.  

Designed for highly advanced piano students, teachers, and enthusiasts, Piano Immersion Camp offers an enriching blend of observations, workshops, lectures, as well as opportunities for consultative lessons. 

Observation:

Enjoy a full-access pass to all master classes, recitals, and concerts throughout the festival, and experience the spark of artistic inspiration up close. 

Specialized Master Lecture Series:

Developed exclusively for the Piano Immersion Camp, TJPF artists and Tianjin Juilliard faculty will give lectures and workshops on a variety of piano-related topics, including: 

Week 1

1.  The Roadmap to Juilliard

Speakers: Yoheved Kaplinsky, Ching-Wen Hsiao and Alvin Zhu

Juilliard alumni and professors Yoheved Kaplinsky, Ching-Wen Hsiao, and Alvin Zhu demystify conservatory admissions and student life at Juilliard, while sharing proven strategies for international competition preparation—from repertoire selection to mental and technical readiness.
 

2.  Chamber Music Matters

Speaker: Kathryn Stott

Renowned British pianist Kathryn Stott blends lecture and demonstration to explore why chamber music is essential for every pianist. She shows how ensemble playing deepens listening, refines timing, and transforms solo interpretation.
 

3.  Studying Abroad as a Musician

Speakers: Hortense Cartier-Bresson and Soyeon Kate Lee

Hortense Cartier-Bresson and Soyeon Kate Lee share firsthand experiences of studying and teaching at conservatories in Germany, France, and the US —covering cultural adaptation, audition preparation, and practical advice for aspiring pianists in the 21st century. 
 

4. Offstage: A Conversation with Tony Siqi Yun

Speaker: Tony Siqi Yun

In this intimate “Meet the Artist” session, pianist Tony Siqi Yun shares his musical journey, creative influences, and behind-the-scenes stories for a personal look into the life of a performing artist.
 

5.  The Inner Dimensions of Artistic Growth: Unlock Your Flow Experiences on Stage

Speaker: Di Wu

What kind of on-stage experience allows musicians to feel deeply immersed in the fulfillment and joy of music making? Drawing on the concept of flow in performance psychology, Dr. Di Wu will guide students in exploring how to enter a state of complete engagement, alignment of mind and action, and heightened artistic presence. Through guided practices and interactive activities, participants will learn how to enhance self-awareness in performance settings and develop a deeper, more meaningful, and compelling inner connection with their musical journey.
 

6.  High School Study Abroad

Speakers: Kara Huber and Robert Ross

The decision to study abroad at the high school level carries with it exciting opportunities as well as challenges. Two experts, Kara Huber (Interlochen Arts Academy) and Robert Ross (Juilliard Pre-College) discuss topics including pre-college audition preparation, balancing academics with practice, cultural adjustment, and how early international exposure shapes a young pianist’s future.

Week 2

1.  Chopin’s World – Competition Edge

Speakers: Xiaohan Wang and Katarzyna Popowa

Xiaohan Wang and Katarzyna Popowa present a unique session blending international competition preparation with a musical lecture on Chopin. They explore the poetic language of Chopin’s music and offer strategies for delivering stylistically and technically compelling performances in competitions.
 

2. Studying Abroad – Pathways to Growth

Speakers: Ning An and Daejin Kim

Ning An and Daejin Kim draw on their cross-cultural educational journeys to discuss key aspects of studying at overseas conservatories—from school selection and audition preparation to cultural adaptation—offering practical advice for young musicians aspiring to an international path.
 

3.  Offstage: A Conversation with Lang Lang

Speaker: Lang Lang (Moderated by Andrew Tyson)

World-renowned pianist Lang Lang joins a special one-hour online “Meet the Artist” session, moderated by pianist Andrew Tyson. He shares his musical journey, artistic philosophy, and life on stage, followed by an in-depth conversation with the audience.
 

4.  Improvisation Lab – Creative at the Keys

Speakers: Andrew Tyson and Junhui Chen

An interactive musical workshop led by pianists and improvisers Andrew Tyson and Junhui Chen, exploring the freedom and joy of improvisation. Participants will be guided through live creative exercises and games, unlocking new dimensions of musical expression and imagination.
 

5.  The Inner Dimensions of Artistic Growth: Meet Challenges with Self-Compassion

Speaker: Di Wu

Resilience is a vital resource in an artist’s development and often serves as the foundation of motivation that keeps us moving forward. In this session, Dr. Di Wu invites participants to explore how self-compassion can help musicians respond to challenges and setbacks with warmth and care while staying connected to their love of music. Through group activities and reflective exercises, participants will discover how self-compassion can nurture emotional resilience and support a healthier, more sustainable path for artistic growth.
 

6. From Practice Room to Global Stage – A Chinese-Born Artist’s Journey

Speaker: Jin Ju

As a successful Chinese-born pianist, Jin Ju shares her real-life journey of studying abroad, competing internationally, and building a global career. This session is especially impactful for young Chinese musicians—she speaks on finding one’s voice between Eastern and Western cultures and stepping onto the professional stage.

Consultative Lessons: 

Register for a 60-minute lesson with members of the Tianjin Juilliard piano faculty. (Limited availability, extra fees apply) 

All Participants receive a Certificate of Participation.

Each week offers a unique group of artists to lead the workshops:

Week 1 (August 3-8, 2026) includes 

• Hortense Cartier-Bresson, Paris Conservatoire, France
• Ching-Wen Hsiao, The Tianjin Juilliard School, China
• Yoheved Kaplinsky, The Juilliard School, USA
• Soyeon Kate Lee, The Juilliard School, USA
• Kathryn Stott, Royal Northern College of Music, UK

Week 2 (August 10-15, 2026) includes 

• Ning An, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Singapore
• Jin Ju, Central Conservatory of Music, China
• Daejin Kim, Korean National University of the Arts, South Korea
• Katarzyna Popowa-Zydron, I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, Poland, Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, Poland  
• Xiaohan Wang, The Tianjin Juilliard School, China

Consultative Lessons with Tianjin Juilliard Faculty:

• Week 1: Hui-qiao Bao, Dan Shao, Alvin Zhu
• Week 2: Hui-qiao Bao, Ching-Wen Hsiao, Andrew Tyson, Konstantinos Valianatos

Others to be announced.

Click the button below to read artists' bios.

TJPF 2026 Artists' Bios

The minimum age for participation is 8 years old as of August 1, 2026.

All participants younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian who must register as a Piano Immersion Camp Guardian. 

Start Your Application

Application opens March 14, 2026. Rolling admission until all spots are filled.

Application closes July 1, 2026.

In the event that the activity cannot be held as scheduled due to force majeure (including but not limited to natural disasters, governmental actions, or social anomalies), the relevant parties shall be exempt from corresponding responsibilities.

Tianjin Juilliard reserves the right of final interpretation of this event.

• Once the application is successfully submitted, the application fee is non-refundable.
• The tuition does not include travel, housing, and meals which are the responsibility of each participant. A list of local hotels will be shared with accepted participants.
• International students are welcome to apply. Please note, Tianjin Juilliard cannot assist in acquiring visas for Piano Festival participants.

For inquiries regarding the Piano Immersion Camp or application process, please scan the QR code to contact us via WeChat.