The Luzerne Music Center, a prestigious summer music camp in Lake Luzerne, NY, USA, is sponsoring the Piano Star International Competition for the third year.✨
The LMC Summer Camp Scholarship Awards for next year include:
- 1 four-week full scholarship, including room and board, to attend the 2025 Luzerne Music Center Summer Camp in Lake Luzerne, NY, awarded to the Gold Prize Winner of Group E (ages 16-18)
- 1 two-week full scholarship, including room and board, to attend the 2025 Luzerne Music Center Summer Camp in Lake Luzerne, NY, awarded to the Gold Prize Winner of Group D (ages 13-15)
- 1 two-week full scholarship, including room and board, to attend the 2025 Luzerne Music Center Summer Camp in Lake Luzerne, NY, awarded to the Gold Prize Winner of Group C (ages 10-12)
““As we enter our third year as a scholarship sponsor with Piano League, we are excited to support the incredible, young musicians who devote their time and energy to this fantastic competition! We are grateful to partner with Piano League in our shared commitment to advance music education for young students around the world, and we look forward to again welcoming scholarship winners to enjoy a high-level musical experience in the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains of New York.”
– Emily Dobmeier, Vice President of Operations and Artistic Planning at Luzerne Music Center
About Luzerne
Founded in 1980 by Philadelphia Orchestra cellist Bert Phillips and Steinway pianist Toby Blumenthal, Luzerne Music Center aims to provide world-class music instruction for gifted young musicians in a summer camp environment regardless of their financial circumstance. Musicians ages 9 to 18 come from all over the world to train at LMC’s campus located in the foothills of New York’s Adirondack Park.
At LMC, we pride ourselves on creating an environment that blends a high-intensity music festival with that of a traditional summer camp. We value courage and resilience, empathy and compassion. We value teamwork and we value kindness. We value diversity. We believe in supporting and uplifting others.
The 20-acre wooded campus consists of recreational facilities, student cabins, a charming Adirondack performance lodge, an outdoor performance shed, practice buildings, dining hall and a natural sandy beachfront on Lake Luzerne.
“[My daughter’s] work with the world-class faculty, especially her piano instructor, elevated her performance to a whole new level. She had a multitude of opportunities to perform in solo recitals, chamber ensemble concerts, and even as a featured concerto soloist with the LMC Orchestra. The natural camp setting was secluded but beautiful, and it allowed her to focus on all the rewarding musical challenges she faced.”
– Mario Ajero, ’21, ’22, ’23 LMC parent
Classes and faculty
At LMC, piano students receive weekly private lessons and participate in daily piano topics classes. In addition, they also participate in choice-based elective classes on a wide variety of music topics and are assigned chamber ensembles that receive daily coachings. Optional lessons are also available in composition, conducting, voice, jazz, and secondary instruments.
Led by our team of piano faculty members, the piano program at LMC is regarded for both the personal attention provided by our faculty members, as well as an enriching group experience.
LMC’s 2025 piano faculty include:
- Emiko Edwards (Junior Session)
- Lauren Reen (Junior Session)
- Marko Stuparevic (Junior Session & Senior Session)
- Anikó Szokody (Senior Session)
In addition to our full-time faculty, Luzerne Music Center invites guest artists from around the world to perform for and teach our students. Distinguished guest composers and musicians have included Leonard Slatkin, Midori, George Crumb, John Corigliano, and Joan Tower. During the session, students also enjoy visits to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center featuring performances by Opera Saratoga, the New York City Ballet, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Performance opportunities
Our students perform on and off campus throughout the summer, with many of our concerts open to the public and livestreamed. While at LMC, students have the opportunity to perform as soloists and in duos through our weekly Piano Prelude concerts. We also offer audition-based solo opportunities as well, including a concerto competition during each four-week session.
“I am so happy to have been able to come to Luzerne this summer. The counselors, faculty and other campers make this such a special place. Not only does this camp make beautiful music, but it is full of beautiful people. Being here this month has helped me to become a better musician.”
– Mariana, age 17
Camp life
While training at Luzerne Music Center, you will have the opportunity to take in the great outdoors of New York’s Adirondack Park. LMC offers daily recreational activities and our private beachfront gives students a place to swim, kayak, canoe, and paddleboard.
Matched with peers of similar age, students stay in new wooden cabins equipped with bunk beds, electricity, storage shelves, bathrooms, and air conditioning. Counselors live in a room within the camper cabin and work around the clock to keep steady supervision at all times.
This year’s camp
Information on LMC’s 2025 summer program date and the application process can be found below:
Applications open: October 1-March 15
Official website: www.luzernemusic.org
Application fee: $55 for early applicants who apply by January 1; $85 regular application fee after this date
Audition information: www.luzernemusic.org/admissions
Contact email: in**@lu**********.org
Contact phone: (518) 696-2771
Location: 203 Lake Tour Rd. Lake Luzerne, NY 12846
2025 program dates:
- Junior Session (ages 9-15): Sunday, June 22 – Friday, July 18
- Junior A: Sunday, June 22 – Saturday, July 5
- Junior B: Sunday, July 6 – Friday, July 18
- Senior Session (ages 13-18): Monday, July 21 – Sunday, August 17
