Activities, lessons, and events are held at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, at 951 Ave. Ponce de Leon, San Juan. As a student of the festival, you will have access to practice rooms and rehearsal space at the conservatory from 9am-9pm. The Conservatory of Music is an all Steinway school. There are two separate programs during the 2024 festival, piano and strings. Details for each are below, including application requirements, important dates, and FAQ.

Student Daily Schedule

10AM-2PM Private lessons and coachings
2PM-3PM Lunch Break
3PM-5PM Masterclass
7PM-9PM Recital

Piano program

Four private lessons
Opportunity to be selected to play in a masterclass
Performances during one of four student concerts at the end of the festival

Collaborative Piano Program

Piano students may apply to be considered for the collaborative program, where you will have the opportunity to work with string students.  If accepted, you will be paired with a violin or cello student, and during in the festival you will attend coachings and will have an opportunity to play a chamber music work during the student concerts.  To be considered, you must submit a recent recording of a chamber music performance as part of your application.  Students who are accepted will receive a scholarship for their collaborative work. There is limited space for this program.    

String Program

Four private lessons
Opportunity to be selected to play in a masterclass
Performances during one of four student concerts at the end of the festival

To apply for the festival you must provide

Contact information
Current school and teacher
Letter of recommendation (can be emailed directly to prpianofest@gmail.com)
YouTube links of two contrasting works
Repertoire you plan to play during the festival

Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Tuition and fees

Non refundable Application fee is $75
Tuition cost is $1200

As part of the festival’s mission to support local students in Puerto Rico who face financial hardship, students in Puerto Rico may attend with a reduced tuition.

Housing and Travel

Students may choose to stay at the Courtyard Marriott in Miramar located at 810 Ponce de Leon Ave.  The hotel is ten minutes walking distance from the Conservatory of Music, and is in a safe and convenient location with shops and restaurants nearby.  Each student will be paired with a roommate, sharing a double room.  As part of the festival, hotel offers a discounted rate of $640 for eight nights per person. Meals are not included.

Students may also find their own accommodations via Airbnb or other hotels.  

The destination airport in Puerto Rico is Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU).

Important Dates

Application Deadline April 25
Hotel deposit due May 23
Tuition Due June 13

Arrival day is Sunday June 22 

Departure day is Monday June 30

Things to bring

Sun screen
Warm weather clothing
Sweater or scarfs for time indoors, as the air conditioning can be very strong
Portable music stand (string players)
Bathing suit
Second copy of scores for masterclasses
Health insurance card
ID and/or passport

FAQ

Do I need a Passport to travel to Puerto Rico?
US citizens do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico.  Travel to and from the island is treated as a domestic flight.  If you are an International student traveling from the US, you will need only your passport; no other travel documents are necessary.  If traveling from a country other than the US, you may need a tourist Visa when entering immigration in the US.  Check with your school international office, or the UCIS website for more information. 

Does Puerto Rico use dollars?
Yes, the currency in Puerto Rico is US Dollars.

Does Puerto Rico have US Cellular?
Yes, most major US cellular companies have free roaming in Puerto Rico.  This includes Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others.  If you are unsure about your plan, please check with your cell phone company before traveling.  

Does Puerto Rico have Uber?
Yes, Uber is the most convenient way to get around the San Juan area.