Overview
The 2025 Tianjin Juilliard Piano Festival (TJPF) will take place from August 3 to 17, 2025 at The Tianjin Juilliard School in China.
The two-week festival offers a vibrant environment where pianists are inspired by the highest levels of music making throughout the program.
Piano participants work alongside the world’s finest pianists and teachers in 12 master classes; receive over 250 hours of private lessons; attend recitals given by eminent artists; are given performance opportunities; and have access to the finest performance and practice spaces.
Embracing the importance of collaborative music-making, the festival provides the unique experience of working with a chamber orchestra and conductor, as well as reading chamber music with a renowned string quartet.
With a line-up of stellar artists, the festival aims to create a world-class event for young pianists and the music-loving community to come together for an experience to remember.
This year, we are thrilled to introduce new features that further distinguish this festival from any other in the world. The Young Artist program is now tuition-free and includes a travel stipend to nurture and support top talent from around the world. Collaborations with the Asian Youth Orchestra and the Shanghai Quartet underscore the importance of collaborative music making and provide our Young Artists with extraordinary opportunities. We also welcome piano teachers to join as Teacher Auditors, where they have access to exclusive pedagogical workshops and activities.
The festival is set to be a transformative celebration of creativity and excellence, inviting participants and audiences alike to experience the magic of piano like never before.
Yoheved Kaplinsky and Xiaohan Wang
Participation
The Tianjin Juilliard Piano Festival 2025 welcomes applications for performing participants, auditors, or as part of the Teacher Training Program.
- Young Artist: ages 16 to 26 (as of August 1, 2025)
12 Young Artist participants are selected through an application process, attend the piano festival tuition-free, and receive a travel stipend.
Each Young Artist receives four (4) one-hour private lessons, one opportunity to play in a master class, and two opportunities to perform in an Emerging Artist Recital. All Young Artists have the option to compete in the festival’s concerto competition. Select winners will be granted solo opportunities with professional orchestras, including the Asian Youth Orchestra for their 2026 summer tour. New in 2025, Young Artist participants will have the opportunity to read chamber music with the Shanghai Quartet. Young Artists receive a certificate of participation.
Young Artists between the ages of 16-18 years must be accompanied by an adult guardian throughout the festival, or my attend unaccompanied with signed permission from their parent.
- Junior: ages 8 to 15 (as of August 1, 2025)
Up to 36 Junior participants are selected through an application process. Each Junior receives four (4) one-hour private lessons, one opportunity to play in a master class, and one performance in an Emerging Artist Recital. All Junior participants have the unique opportunity to collaborate with the QingXin Ensemble and a conductor, rehearsing one movement of a concerto. Up to six (6) Juniors will be chosen to perform a movement of their concerto in a special concert. Juniors receive a certificate of participation.
All Juniors must be accompanied by an adult guardian throughout the festival who must register as a Guardian Auditor at a special discounted fee. Guardian Auditors have the same benefits as Auditors. Only one Guardian Auditor per Junior may register. Additional parents or guardians must register as Auditors at the full fee.
- Adjunct Participant: ages 16 to 26 (as of August 1, 2025)
A limited number of Adjunct Participants are selected through an application process. Adjunct Participants attend the festival for one week, either August 3-10 or August 11-17, and receive two (2) one-hour private lessons, one performance opportunity, and observe all events during their week of participation. Adjunct Participants receive a certificate of participation.
Adjuncts between the ages of 16-18 years must be accompanied by an adult guardian throughout the festival, or my attend unaccompanied with signed permission from their parent.
- Auditor: ages 8 and above (as of August 1, 2025)
Auditors are observers to the festival’s many activities and may register for the 1st week (August 3-10), 2nd week (August 11-17), or the full festival (August 3-17). Auditors attend all public events during the week they attend, including all guest artist recitals, master classes, Emerging Artist Recitals, lectures, the concerto competition, and chamber music concert. Auditors may not observe private lessons.
Auditors under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult guardian who must register as an Auditor.
- Teacher Auditor Program
New in 2025, the Teacher Auditor program is developed for piano teachers. In addition to observing the festival’s activities (see “Auditor”), Teacher Auditors attend professional development courses and workshops specially curated for professional piano teachers. The Teacher Auditor program is designed as a one-week program with an option to attend for the second week. Teacher Auditors receive a certificate of participation.
The Teacher Auditor program is co-developed with Tianjin Juilliard’s Continuing Education department.
Artists
TEACHING ARTISTS
Michael Berkovsky, Royal Conservatory of Music, Canada
Bernd Goetzke, Hochschule für Music, Theater und Medien Hannover, Germany
Krzysztof Jablonski, School of Music, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
Yoheved Kaplinsky, The Juilliard School, USA
Katyrzyna Popowa-Zydroń, Academy of Music Gdańsk, Poland, Academy of Music Bydgoszcz, Poland
Boris Slutsky, Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, USA
Minsoo Sohn, New England Conservatory, USA
Andrew Tyson, The Tianjin Juilliard School, China
Arie Vardi, Hochschule für Music, Theater und Medien Hannover, Germany; Bachmann-Mehta School of Music, Israel
Xiaohan Wang, The Tianjin Juilliard School, China
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Shanghai Quartet
QingXin Ensemble; Kin Szeto, conductor
Asian Youth Orchestra; George Li, pianist
Highlights and Opportunities
YOUNG ARTISTS
Young Artist Concerto Competition
Each Young Artist has the opportunity to participate in the concerto competition. A list of Young Artist concerti can be found here. Up to three (3) winners are chosen for future performances with orchestras, including the Asian Youth Orchestra’s 2026 Asian tour. Other engagements to be announced.
Prior to the competition, each Young Artist will have two rehearsals with a second piano. Staff pianists are assigned by the festival.
Participants who won in either of the previous two years are not eligible to compete in the 2025 competition.
Chamber Music Readings
New in 2025, the renowned Shanghai Quartet joins the festival to collaborate with all Young Artists in readings of three significant chamber works. All Young Artists must prepare the following movements for the rehearsal. The Shanghai Quartet will select three (3) pianists for a special performance.
- Mendelssohn, Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49 (1st movement)
- Mozart, Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, K. 478 (1st movement)
- Dvorak, Piano Quintet No. 1 in A Major, Op. 81 (1st movement)
Emerging Artist Recitals
There are 12 Emerging Artist Recitals throughout the festival. They are open to the public. Each Young Artist will be scheduled to play in two recitals. All pieces must be played from memory.
The festival committee is responsible for the scheduling of these recitals, and their decision is final.
Master Classes
Each Young Artist plays in a master class with one of the festival’s artist-faculty. All pieces must be played from memory. The master classes are open to the public.
The festival committee is responsible for the allocation of these master classes, and their decision is final.
Private Lessons
Each Young Artist participant will receive four (4) one-hour private lessons. Free repertoire.
The festival committee is responsible for the allocation of these lessons, and their decision is final.
Additional lessons: Participants may request additional lessons with any guest artist of their choice. The lesson fee is 3000 RMB per hour. These requests must be communicated to the festival committee in writing via email. Please note that although the festival will try its best to honor these requests, no guarantee can be made.
JUNIORS
Concerto Rehearsals with Chamber Orchestra
One of the festival's biggest highlights includes an exclusive opportunity for all Juniors to collaborate with a conductor and an orchestra. Each Junior participant has one rehearsal with the QingXin Ensemble and a conductor, playing one movement of a concerto. A list of Junior concerti can be found here.
Prior to their collaboration with the ensemble, a rehearsal with a second piano will be arranged. Staff pianists are assigned by the festival.
Junior Concerto Competition
Up to twelve (12) Juniors are selected to participate in the Junior concerto competition, and up to six (6) winners are chosen to perform their concerto movement with QingXin Ensemble in a special concert.
The festival provides accompanists (2nd piano) for rehearsals and the competition.
Participants who won in either of the previous two years are not eligible to compete in the 2025 competition.
Emerging Artist Recitals
There are 12 Emerging Artist Recitals throughout the festival. They are open to the public. Each Junior will be scheduled to play in one recital. Select Juniors will be chosen to play in the Tianjin Juilliard Outdoor Concert series, held outside on the West Stage. All pieces must be played from memory. The festival committee is responsible for the scheduling of these recitals, and their decision is final.
Master Classes
Each Junior participant plays in a master class with one of the festival’s artist-faculty. Each master class is two hours long. All pieces must be played from memory. The master classes are open to the public.
The festival committee is responsible for the allocation of these master classes, and their decision is final.
Private Lessons
Each Junior participant will receive four (4) one-hour private lessons. Free repertoire. The festival committee is responsible for the allocation of these lessons, and their decision is final.
Additional lessons: Participants may request additional lessons with any guest artist of their choice. The lesson fee is 3000 RMB per hour. These requests must be communicated to the festival committee in writing via email. Please note that although the festival will try its best to honor these requests, no guarantee can be made.
ADJUNCT PARTICIPANTS
Private Lessons
Each Adjunct participant will receive two (2) one-hour private lessons. Free repertoire. The festival committee is responsible for the allocation of these lessons, and their decision is final.
Additional lessons: Participants may request additional lessons with any guest artist of their choice. The lesson fee is 3000 RMB per hour. These requests must be communicated to the festival committee in writing via email. Please note that although the festival will try its best to honor these requests, no guarantee can be made.
Emerging Artist Recitals
There are 12 Emerging Artist Recitals throughout the festival. They are open to the public. Each Adjunct Participant will be scheduled to play in one recital. All pieces must be played from memory. The festival committee is responsible for the scheduling of these recitals, and their decision is final.
LECTURES
The festival will present lectures on various topics. More specific information will be released later.
PRACTICE FACILITIES
Scheduled practice time is arranged for each performing participant in practice rooms equipped with Steinway grand pianos. The Tianjin Juilliard School is open from 8 am to midnight throughout the Festival.
Application Timeline
Young Artist, Junior, and Adjunct | |
Application open | January 15, 2025 |
Application deadline | March 1, 2025 |
Audition results | March 15, 2025 |
Response due back | April 1, 2025 |
Any questions about the application process can be sent to tjpf.admissions@tianjinjuilliard.edu.cn
Auditors and Teacher Auditors | |
Application open | April 15, 2025 |
Application deadline | July 1, 2025 |
Any questions about the application process can be sent to tjpf.auditors@tianjinjuilliard.edu.cn
Application
Online Application for Young Artist, Junior and Adjunct Participants
The deadline to submit your application is March 1, 2025. To begin, create your Tianjin Juilliard Admissions Account, gather the required application materials, and follow the instructions to complete your application.
Please remember your Tianjin Juilliard Admissions Account username and password as you will need it to log in throughout the entirety of the admissions process. All admissions communication will be conducted through your Account and the email address used for registration.
Application Requirements for Young Artist, Junior, and Adjunct
All Young Artist, Junior, and Adjunct applicants must submit
- Videos totaling 15-20 minutes from a performance within the past 6 months, playing two or more contrasting pieces. One of the pieces must be a classical sonata. First movements are allowed if the entire sonata is longer than 15 minutes.
- A full biography (in English, Chinese, or both, no more than 200 words), including schools and teachers (past and present), concerts, achievements, and awards
- Juniors only: One recommendation letter from your current teacher
Young Artist applicants who are not accepted as Young Artists may also ask to be considered as an Adjunct Participant
Junior applicants who are not accepted as Juniors may also ask to be considered as an Auditor
Any questions about the application process can be sent to tjpf.admissions@tianjinjuilliard.edu.cn
Online Application for Auditors
All Auditor applicants must submit an online application and will be admitted on a rolling basis beginning in April 2025. Please note that Auditor applicants younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult guardian who must also apply to be an Auditor.
Any questions about the auditor application process can be sent to tjpf.auditors@tianjinjuilliard.edu.cn.
Tuition and Fees
Performing Participants | |
Application fee | 700 RMB (100 USD) |
Tuition fee | |
Young Artist | Young Artists attend the festival tuition-free, and receive up to a 10,000 RMB ($1,500 USD) travel stipend. |
Junior | 40,000 RMB ($5,700 USD). Scholarship available for select Juniors. |
Adjunct Participant | 12,000 RMB ($1,700 USD) |
Auditors | |
Application fee | 200 RMB (30 USD) |
Tuition Fee | |
Auditor (one week) | 3500 RMB ($500 USD) |
Auditor (two weeks) | 6500 RMB ($925 USD) |
Guardian Auditor (two weeks) | 3500 RMB ($500 USD) |
Teacher Auditor (one week) | 7250 RMB ($1050 USD) |
Additional Information
- 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.