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.
Schedule
YAKA will be held from Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24, 2026. A more detailed schedule will be sent to students upon acceptance.
Monday (July 20)
- 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 21-24)
- 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 deadlines
Early Bird Application: May 4, 2026 ($50 discount)
Regular Application: June 1, 2026
Tuition and fees
All applications include a $25 non-refundable application fee.
Applicants who are not accepted or who withdraw from YAKA before June 1 will receive a refund of all fees except the $25 application fee.
- Commuter tuition: $400 (Early Bird: $350)
- Residential tuition: $625 (Early Bird: $575)
Meet the faculty
