Cassa Piano

Cassa Piano (Ages 9-19)

In-person:  July 14-18, 2025, 9am-5pm, Recitals: Thursday July 17, 7:00 pm & Friday July 18, 2:00 pm

In-person Early Bird $479, after June 1 $529 (Brentview Baptist Church)

Cassa Piano is an exciting five-day experience for pianists level 3 RCM/CC and up, to explore the many facets of piano playing in a supportive, fun atmosphere that promotes a positive attitude towards practising and performing. Students are coached in prepared solo repertoire and new ensemble pieces. Students attend classes in musical style, interpretation, memorization, technique and performance anxiety. Classes in choir, art, improvisation are also offered.

The Cassa Piano composer of the year is Franz Liszt. Students will learn more about the feature composer and can perform a piece written by the feature composer during the program. While many of Liszt’s compositions are at an advanced level there are several choices at the upper intermediate level (7 – 9) listed in the RCM and Conservatory Canada Syllabi that are quite approachable. Alternatively students attending Cassa Piano in the intermediate levels may choose a piece that is romantic in style. It could be a character piece, such as a piece from Schumann’s Album for the Young, or an expressive piece that uses pedal, showing rhythmic freedom, or use of rubato.  

Guest Artist: Dr. Dale Wheeler

Experts: Dr. Laura Bell, Joseph Fridman, Linda Kundert, Darcy van Helden, Dr. Karen Gerelus and Carlo Santos.

Instructors/Supervisors: Georgeanne van Helden and Riley Ngo