About
The Young Artists Keyboard Academy (YAKA) at Missouri State University is an immersive experience for pre-college students of classical piano and organ. Each student declares a principal (piano or organ) and secondary instrument (piano or organ), and private lessons on both instruments will be provided (no prior experience is needed on the secondary instrument). The YAKA offers a well-rounded curriculum that includes masterclasses, individual lessons, musicianship training, improvisation, special topics and a final concert. Students are taught by Missouri State University’s internationally-acclaimed keyboard faculty.
Eligibility
Pre-college students in grades 7-12 with at least three years of lessons.
Commuting participants
Participants choosing the commute option arrive on campus in the morning and are picked up by their legal guardian at the end of daily activities. Commuter campers are provided lunch Monday through Friday.
Overnight campers
Participants choosing the residential option live on campus in a University residence hall for the duration of the program and are served three meals a day at one of the residential dining halls. A staff of counselors supervise residential life. All camp students are supervised at all times.
Application process
Before completing the online application, prepare a brief (no longer than five minutes) audition video and publish as unlisted on your YouTube or Vimeo channel. Simply include that audition video link in the application form when prompted.
Applications will be accepted through June 9, 2025.
Schedule
YAKA will be held from Monday, July 21, through Friday, July 25, 2025. A more detailed schedule will be sent to students upon acceptance.
Monday (July 21)
- Morning arrival to Missouri State campus
- 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. – Registration / Orientation / Eurhythmics / Lunch / Lessons / Ensemble Coachings / Supervised Practicing
- 4:30 p.m. – Student pickup
- 5-8 p.m. – Dinner / Evening Activities
Tuesday - Friday (July 22-25)
- 8-9 a.m. – Breakfast
- 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. – Eurhythmics / Lessons / Lunch / Special Topics Classes / Ensemble Coachings / Supervised Practicing / Masterclasses
- 4:30 p.m. – Student pickup
- 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. – Dinner / Evening Activities
- Friday: 3:30 p.m. — Final Recital for all YAKA students
Application deadline
Applications are due by June 9, 2025.
Tuition and fees
Tuition includes a $25 non-refundable application fee. Applicants not accepted to YAKA for any reason or are withdrawn before June 9 will have all fees refunded except for the $25 applicant fee.
- Residential tuition: $575
- Commuter tuition: $350
Meet the faculty
