Collaborative Piano
Piano duo partnerships with vocal artists in a true artistic exchange. Experience German culture while coaching with our international faculty artists and performing on concerts and master classes hosted by international performing artists and coaches.
At first, being away from home for three weeks seemed like summitting the Matterhorn, but after just a few hours, IPAI felt like a home away from home, rife with opportunities, unwavering support, and endless room to learn and grow as an artist and a person. It is amazing how much growth can occur in such a little time under the perfect conditions that IPAI provides.
- Mandie McIlravy, 2026
Piano Duo Collaboration &
Scene Preparation
In an innovative approach to summer training programs, IPAI Bavaria Collaborative Pianists are paired with vocal partners in a Piano Duo for the entirety of the three weeks. Together, Piano Duos will attend all lessons and coachings with the collaborative piano and voice faculty. Working as a team for the three weeks, singers and pianists develop a deeper musical awareness of one another and the challenges of collaboration: enlightening both parties on just how intertwined our rolls are and enhancing the overall collaborative experience.
Under the guidance and coaching of Dr. Michael Bunchman and our guest collaborative artists, each collaborative pianist will lead the musical preparation of at least one opera scene. They are responsible for learning and rehearsing with vocalists with appropriate style and musical interpretation that will culminate in 2 opera scene performances.
World-class Instruction
IPAI Bavaria provides a positive and nurturing environment in which each student can learn and develop to their full potential. The program focuses on repertoire preparation, text interpretation, diction, technical control, texture, musical flexibility, collaborative awareness of balance, and confidence in performance. Collaborative pianists attend all lessons and coachings with their Piano Duo partner and may participate in acting & movement classes, workshops, and master classes. They also receive individual coachings with Dr. Michael Bunchman, guest clinicians, and guest coaches--teachers, vocal coaches, stage directors, and casting directors currently working in opera houses in the United States and Europe.
Each pianist collaborates with three or more singers throughout the course of the program. Singers receive two weekly voice lessons, one or two coachings, and perform in weekly master classes that focus on style and interpretation, audition techniques, mind/body awareness, coping with stress and nervousness, the business of performing, career building and more! During the second and third week, all opera artists participate in intensive master classes with honored guest artists such as Emily Hindrichs, Mark Lawson, Drummond Walker and Kirstin Chavez.
IPAI Bavaria Opera & Collaborative Piano Program alumni have been accepted into top tier masters programs in the US and in Germany, joined US and European young artist programs, and gone on to create prolific professional careers.
Language & Culture
Artists learn and practice German in daily language classes and by living in a Bavarian village for three weeks. Instruction includes the basics of functional conversational German, an introduction to German culture and etiquette, learning to slate and answer basic audition questions in German, as well as opportunities for more advanced speakers to refine their language skills. Our artists receive musical theatre and lyric diction coaching in German. French, Italian, English, and Czech can be integrated into weekly lessons and coaching sessions as dictated by the artists' repertoire selections.
See a professional opera performance at a German Theater in Erl, Munich, or another nearby city as part of your IPAI experience! Transportation and tickets are included in the tuition.
Performing
Each Piano Duo is featured on our Liederabend and will perform together in all Master classes and concerts. Each pianist will perform their assigned opera or musical theatre scenes and collaborative repertoire. Concert performance opportunities include: master classes that may be open to the public, Cabaret Nights, the annual IPAI Bavaria Vocal Competition, and one scene concert--" the IPAI Bavaria Gala Concert.
Career Building & Development
In addition to professional development & audition workshops, IPAI Bavaria artists receive one-on-one feedback from each of our esteemed faculty throughout their IPAI Bavaira residency. Our three-week training program culminates in a next-steps conference that offers an opportunity to connect on a deeper level with our faculty, strategically plan for the "next steps" of your artistic career, gather personalized advice, and be mentored by professionals who invest in artists beyond just three weeks of training.
Outstanding students, promising young artists, and emerging artists may be offered a significant scholarship and the opportunity to join IPAI as a Fellowship Artist in the following summer. Fellowship Artists have usually completed a Masters Degree or Artist Diploma, are on the cusp of starting their professional career, are already performing professionally, and/or are exploring opportunities to audition and sing in Germany or Europe. Fellowship Artists receive special attention, may be invited to auditions, or offered roles with regional companies in the US and Germany.
Tuition & SCHOLARSHIPS
Triple Room: $5100
Double Room: $5400
Single Room $5700
D E P O S I T : $500
***The deposit must be received by the date on your acceptance letter (10-14 days after acceptance) in order to reserve your spot in the program and any scholarships you have been awarded.
IPAI Bavaria is an all-inclusive professional training experience that includes:
Lodging for 20 days
Two meals per day (breakfast and lunch--artists are responsible for dinner and snacks)
Individual and group repertoire coachings
Master Classes and Career Training Workshops
German Language Experience
A Comprehensive Scenes Program
A Minimum of 4 Concert Performance Opportunities.
The cost of tickets and transportation for one excursion (the musical theatre intensive and audition casting in Hamburg, or the German opera house excursion) is also included in your tuition for IPAI Bavaria when available.
Not included airfare or ground transportation to/from Kiefersfelden; ground or public transportation during the program; health or travel insurance; costs of securing a passport or visa (for non-US residents); entry, luggage, or other fees at border control; costs associated with program cancellation, flight cancellation, health care issues, or travel delays.
Tuition scholarships are awarded based on funding availability, artistry, and merit and determined by the application, video or live audition, financial need, and IPAI Bavaria programming needs. Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of IPAI Bavaria faculty, administration, and audition panelists. Recipients are obliged to notify IPAI Bavaria of acceptance in a timely fashion and are still responsible for securing their position in the program by paying the deposit.
INSURANCe
All participants and faculty must secure international health insurance that is valid in the country or state of residence for the duration of the program. We STRONGLY suggest securing both health and travel insurance when studying abroad. Check with your current insurance provider to inquire if they have options for temporary international travel and health insurance. Feel free to reach out to our IPAI Bavaria administrative staff for assistance if you need help finding an insurance provider. It's relatively inexpensive and can be purchased online.
REFund & Participation Policy
Unfortunately, IPAI Bavaria cannot issue any refunds for tuition or deposits under any circumstances at this time. This includes but is not limited to acts of violence or terrorism, sickness, disease, financial insolvency, force majeure, or any other circumstances. The no refund policy stands as long as a live, in-person summer program can take place.
IPAI Bavaria reserves the right to withdraw a student artist from the program for behavior deemed inappropriate or unprofessional. Illegal substance use is strictly forbidden. Participants caught using illegal substances or participating in illegal activities will be sent home at their own expense and no tuition refunds will be given. Artists and faculty participate at their own risk and must provide proof of valid health insurance for the duration of the program. IPAI Bavaria is not liable for a participants inability to attend or participate due to sickness, emergencies, or other unforeseen events.
Artists engaged in the abuse of alcohol, verbal, racial, or sexual harassment in any way will be sent home immediately at their own expense
Any artist that drops out of the program after May 15th will be responsible for 2/3 of the total tuition.