Hosted on the beautiful campus of the University of Northern Colorado, with the breathtaking Rocky Mountains as its backdrop, the Colorado International Piano Academy & Festival (CIPAF) has offered extraordinary musical experiences since its founding in 2010.

Each summer, CIPAF brings together world-class pianists, distinguished pedagogues, and talented young musicians from around the globe for an inspiring week of concerts, open masterclasses, educational presentations, and an international piano competition.

Participants embark on a transformative musical journey through performance opportunities, masterclasses, educational curriculum, and the CIPAF International Piano Competition. The festival features internationally acclaimed guest artists and distinguished faculty representing prestigious institutions around the world such as The Juilliard School, the Royal College of Music, and the Eastman School of Music.

A special highlight of the festival is our Concerto Workshop, which welcomes qualified pianists of all ages, from young musicians to adult amateur pianists, to experience the joy of performing a concerto movement with the festival orchestra. Designed as an educational and collaborative experience rather than a competition, the workshop offers a truly unique opportunity to experience the thrill of performing with an orchestra and create lasting musical memories.

New for 2027, the Amateur Piano welcomes amateur pianists from all walks of life to study in depth with world-renowned pedagogues, perform in UNC’s state-of-the-art performance hall, and have the opportunity to experience the excitement of performing a concerto movement with the festival orchestra.

We warmly invite our community and music lovers from near and far to join us in celebrating musical excellence, cultural exchange, and the power of music to inspire and bring people together.