Registration has ended
From July 19–24, 2025, the International Piano Summer Course will take place for the fourth time at Albu Manor. As part of the course, concerts will be held both during the course at Albu Manor and on July 26–27 in various manors across Estonia. The tradition of organizing music camps in Albu began over ten years ago, which eventually led to the idea of inviting renowned piano pedagogues from Finland, from the Sibelius Academy – the married couple Hui-Ying and Erik Tawaststjerna. Their participation brings along several already well-known young pianists from Estonia, Finland, and other countries.
Young professional pianists selected for the course will receive four individual lessons with Hui-Ying and Erik Tawaststjerna, one group lesson, and the opportunity to participate in all course-related events, including a pedagogy seminar, concerts, and even trying their hand at teaching beginner-level students.
This year, for the first time, piano teachers from across Estonia are invited on July 20 to participate in Piano Teachers’ Day, held as part of the course. The day will include at least three lectures and a workshop. Lectures will be given by Martti Raide as well as Hui-Ying and Erik Tawaststjerna. During the workshop, several experienced teachers are invited to give short demonstration performances.
As part of the course, from July 20–22, beginner piano students and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to receive lessons from the young professional pianists participating in the international course. During this time, they can also take part in ensemble classes, Kaja Kraav´s folk music sessions, attend all open lessons, and perform in a concert.
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Pianist HUI-YING LIU-TAWASTSTJERNA was born in Taiwan. She became a permanent resident of Finland in1982, after having lived in several other countries. She holds a Doctor of Music degree from the Sibelius Academy, and a Master’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Her principal teachers included Emane Wu, Martin Canin and Konrad Wolff. She also received coaching from Leon Fleisher, Pierre Sancan, Karl Ülrich Schnabel, and Rosa Sabater.
Hui-Ying won her first piano competition in Taipei at age 13. Her ensuing competition success preceded her recital debut in Buenos Aires at age 15, and her orchestral debut in New York at age 17. Ever since she made her Carnegie Recital Hall debut as a winner of Artists International Management’s auditions, she has concertized as recitalist, soloist with orchestra, chamber pianist and collaborating pianist on five continents. She has shared podium with conductors such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Okko Kamu, Eri Klas, and with instrumentalists such as Steven Isserlis, Paul Tortelier, Patrick Gallois, Jean-Jacque Kantorow, among others. She also performs regularly as a piano duo with her husband Erik T. Tawaststjerna. She has made recordings for the Finlandia Records, and the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE. Her repertoire ranges from Bach to Magnus Lindberg, including a large selection of piano works and chamber music by Sibelius, Beethoven, Chopin, and Debussy.
Hui-Ying has been a tenured faculty member of the Sibelius Academy since 1984. She has taught a number of outstanding pianists and competition winners such as Antti Siirala, Juho Pohjonen, and Irina Zahharenkova, to mention but a few. She has also given master classes, workshops and lectures in Germany, England, Spain, Ireland, the U.S, Taiwan, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, among others. She was head of the Piano Department in 2004–2008. In addition, she has co-authored a piano method, Piano Key. Presently as the president of the Chopin Society of Finland, Hui-Ying engages herself actively in the promotion of young musicians, classical music and performing arts in general. She is one of the main architects of such musical events as the Baltic-Nordic Crossing Keyboards; the Young Chopin Festival, and the MusicPlus concerts. She received a decoration, Cross of Merit of the Order of the White Rose, from the President of Finland in 2006.ERIK T. TAWASTSTJERNA is Professor Emeritus at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. He began his musical education in Helsinki, took private lessons in Moscow from Genrietta Mirvis, graduated from the Vienna Music Academy, where he studied with Dieter Weber, and earned a Master of Music degree from New York’s Juilliard School, where his teacher was Sascha Gorodnitzki. He also holds a doctorate from New York University where he studied under the guidance of Eugene List. He has participated in master classes given by Wilhelm Kempff and Dmitri Bashkirov. He won the second prize at the Helsinki Maj Lind National Piano Competition in 1968 and has since given concerts around the world. He has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras in Finland, performing such works as Rachmaninoff’s Concerto no. 3 and Leonard Bernstein’s Age of Anxiety. In 1990 he was invited to give a performance for Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo. Mr. Tawaststjerna has made numerous recordings, among them the four Ballades of Chopin and a series of 8 recordings of the complete piano music of Jean Sibelius. He has been teaching since 1982 at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he was appointed full professor of piano in 1986. Many of his students have received top prizes in international piano competitions, and some of them have advanced to the position of university professor: Henri Sigfridsson in Essen, Germany, Victor Chestopal in Brussels, and Julia Mustonen-Dahlkvist in Arvika, Sweden. Mr. Tawaststjerna’s expertise has been called upon in the juries of several competitions, such as the Van Cliburn Competition in Fort Worth, the Maria Canals Competition in Barcelona, the Dublin Piano Competition, the International Beethoven Competition in Vienna, the London International Piano Competition, the Hilton Head Piano Competition, the New York International Piano Competition, the Weimar Liszt Competition, the José Iturbi Competition in Valencia, the Isang Yun Competition in South Korea, the Prokofiev Competition in St Petersburg, the Ciurlionis and Vainiunas Competitions in Vilnius, the Aarhus International Competition in Denmark, and the Mozart Competition in Zhuhai, China. He has given master classes, among other places, at the Guildhall School of Music in London, the University of the Arts in Berlin, the Tokyo College of Music, the YST Conservatory in Singapore, and the Vienna University of Music and the Performing Arts. In 2006 he was named ‘Professor of the Year’ by the Finnish Professors’ League.
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MARTTI RAIDE began studying piano in 1972 at the Tallinn Music High School under Ell Saviauk. In 1980, he won first prize at a young pianists’ competition in Ústí nad Labem. He graduated cum laude from the Tallinn State Conservatory (Professor Bruno Lukk) and earned a master’s degree in accompaniment from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (Professor Vilma Mallene). In 2010, he completed a doctoral degree focused on performance style in Estonian vocal music. He has also studied in Berlin at the Hanns Eisler School of Music with Professor Wolfram Rieger and attended a masterclass with Professor Irwin Cage.
Raide is one of Estonia’s leading lied pianists, prize-winning accompanist, and active chamber musician and soloist, performing across Europe, the USA, and Canada. He has collaborated closely with tenor Mati Turi and many other singers. He has premiered over 50 works by Estonian composers and recorded notable albums such as 20th-Century Estonian Vocal Music (2002) and Ussisõnad (2017). He also writes for the journal Muusika and newspaper Sirp.
Since 1993, Raide has taught at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. He led the piano department at Tallinn Music High School (1993–2022) and is now head keyboard teacher at the Tallinn School of Music and Ballet. A respected pedagogue, his students have won prizes internationally. He is vice-chairman of the Estonian Association of Piano Teachers and received a national pedagogy award in 2021.Pianist HUI-YING LIU-TAWASTSTJERNA was born in Taiwan. She became a permanent resident of Finland in1982, after having lived in several other countries. She holds a Doctor of Music degree from the Sibelius Academy, and a Master’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Her principal teachers included Emane Wu, Martin Canin and Konrad Wolff. She also received coaching from Leon Fleisher, Pierre Sancan, Karl Ülrich Schnabel, and Rosa Sabater.
Hui-Ying won her first piano competition in Taipei at age 13. Her ensuing competition success preceded her recital debut in Buenos Aires at age 15, and her orchestral debut in New York at age 17. Ever since she made her Carnegie Recital Hall debut as a winner of Artists International Management’s auditions, she has concertized as recitalist, soloist with orchestra, chamber pianist and collaborating pianist on five continents. She has shared podium with conductors such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Okko Kamu, Eri Klas, and with instrumentalists such as Steven Isserlis, Paul Tortelier, Patrick Gallois, Jean-Jacque Kantorow, among others. She also performs regularly as a piano duo with her husband Erik T. Tawaststjerna. She has made recordings for the Finlandia Records, and the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE. Her repertoire ranges from Bach to Magnus Lindberg, including a large selection of piano works and chamber music by Sibelius, Beethoven, Chopin, and Debussy.
Hui-Ying has been a tenured faculty member of the Sibelius Academy since 1984. She has taught a number of outstanding pianists and competition winners such as Antti Siirala, Juho Pohjonen, and Irina Zahharenkova, to mention but a few. She has also given master classes, workshops and lectures in Germany, England, Spain, Ireland, the U.S, Taiwan, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, among others. She was head of the Piano Department in 2004–2008. In addition, she has co-authored a piano method, Piano Key. Presently as the president of the Chopin Society of Finland, Hui-Ying engages herself actively in the promotion of young musicians, classical music and performing arts in general. She is one of the main architects of such musical events as the Baltic-Nordic Crossing Keyboards; the Young Chopin Festival, and the MusicPlus concerts. She received a decoration, Cross of Merit of the Order of the White Rose, from the President of Finland in 2006. -
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, who teach lessons to beginner-level piano students during the courses, are selected from among the young pianists participating in the international piano course.
KAJA KRAAV is an Estonian music teacher, choir conductor, and promoter of folk culture, active in the Albu region of Järvamaa.
Kaja Kraav works as a music teacher at Põhja-Järva School (Albu study site), where in addition to music she also teaches other subjects and has served as a class teacher. The focus of her daily work is supporting children’s musical development and fostering their interest in music.
In addition to her work at school, she is an active musician and instructor. She directs children’s and youth choirs, various ensembles, and folk music groups. As an instrumental teacher, she teaches several instruments, including the small kannel and the ukulele, helping young people acquire both practical and creative musical skills.
Kaja Kraav is dedicated to preserving and developing Estonian folk culture and traditional music. She organizes and conducts music events, workshops, and camps, and actively contributes to local cultural life. Her work helps keep traditional music alive and strengthens the sense of community.
For her contribution to cultural life, she has received recognition, including cultural awards from Järvamaa.
Kaja Kraav is a respected teacher and instructor whose work brings together education, music, and community life, making an important contribution to the development of young people and the preservation of Estonia’s cultural heritage.DIANA LIIV is an Estonian pianist and chamber musician, and the artistic director of the concert agency Kammermuusikud. Since 2008, she has organized around 120 classical and contemporary music concerts across Estonia each year, including the series “Mõisamängud” and “HELIjaKEEL.” For her artistic direction of the latter, she received the Cultural Endowment’s Annual Music Award in 2018.
Liiv studied at the Tallinn Music High School and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and has furthered her studies abroad. She has performed both as a soloist and chamber musician in Estonia and internationally, and has collaborated with many Estonian composers, also premiering several works.
In addition to her concert activities, she works as a piano teacher, has published music educational books for children, and serves as the director of the Albu International Piano Camp.
Content of the courses
Content of the International Masterclasses
Young professionals selected for the course will receive four individual lessons from Hui-Ying and/or Erik Tawaststjerna, one group lesson, and the opportunity to participate in all events related to the course – including a pedagogy seminar, concerts, and even trying their hand at teaching beginner students.
Concerts will also take place as part of the course, both during the program at Albu Manor and on July 26–27 in various manors across Estonia.
Schedule
July 19, 2025
12:00 Opening of the Albu International Piano Summer Course 2025 and performance by Hui-Ying and Erik Tawaststjerna in the hall of Albu Manor
Followed by open masterclasses by Hui-Ying and Erik Tawaststjerna for young pianists
July 20, 2025
12:00 Opening of Piano Teachers’ Day and the piano enthusiasts’ course; welcome of participants
Followed by:
Excursions for piano enthusiasts
Three lectures for piano teachers (by Martti Raide and Hui-Ying Tawaststjerna) and a workshop
Throughout the day:
Open masterclasses by Hui-Ying and Erik Tawaststjerna for young pianists
Lessons for young pianists
Ensemble and folk music classes for piano enthusiasts
20:00 Concert: Tähe-Lee Liiv (piano) at Albu Manor
July 21, 2025
Throughout the day:
Open masterclasses for young pianists
Lessons for young pianists
Ensemble and folk music classes for piano enthusiasts
19:00 Concert by young pianists at Albu Manor
July 22, 2025
Same daily activities as above
19:00 Concert by young pianists and piano enthusiasts at Albu Manor
July 23, 2025
Same daily activities as above
19:00 Concert by young pianists at Albu Manor
July 24, 2025
Open masterclasses by Hui-Ying and Erik Tawaststjerna
15:00 Final concert of the Albu International Piano Summer Course
July 26–27, 2025
Concerts by young pianists in various manors across Estonia
Content of Piano Teachers’ Day
The program includes:
Two lectures by Martti Raide
Two mini-lectures by Hui-Ying and Erik Tawaststjerna
A pedagogy workshop and discussion session
Participants can also attend masterclasses and open lessons by Hui-Ying and Erik Tawaststjerna throughout the day, and in the evening enjoy a concert by the young pianist Tähe-Lee Liiv at Albu Manor.
Participants are welcome to attend masterclasses and open lessons throughout the entire international course (July 19–24).
Piano Teachers’ Day Schedule
12:00 Opening and welcome
Followed by:
Lecture by Martti Raide:
“Recommendations and Tips for Young Piano Teachers”
13:00 Short lecture by Hui-Ying Tawaststjerna:
“Some Practical Advice on Practicing, Performing, and Teaching” (translated into Estonian)
Followed by a workshop discussion on topics such as:
Motivation
Identifying exceptional talent
Supporting slower-developing students
Healthy competition vs. healthy development
External influences on pedagogy (environment, community, family, etc.)
Participants are welcome to suggest additional topics
14:00 Lunch
15:00 Lecture by Martti Raide:
“On Repertoire and Working with It (piano methods, collections, pedagogical aspects and stages)”
16:00 Attending masterclasses (participants are welcome throughout July 19–24)
18:00 Dinner
20:00 Concert (Tähe-Lee Liiv, piano)
Content of the Piano Enthusiasts’ Course
The course is designed for piano enthusiasts of all ages and levels – beginners to advanced.
Participants may include:
Preschool children discovering the instrument
Music school students
Adult learners seeking inspiration and experience
Each participant receives:
Three individual piano lessons
1–3 group lessons in folk music and/or ensemble playing
Lessons for children and less experienced participants are mostly given by young pianists participating in the international course.
String and wind players are also welcome to join ensembles.
Group instructors:
Kaja Kraav (folk music – small kannel, ukulele, etc.)
Diana Liiv (piano, ensemble)
Piano Enthusiasts’ Course Schedule
Sunday, July 20
12:00 Opening of the course and Teachers’ Day
12:15 экскурсия at Albu Manor
12:30 Check-in for accommodation
13:00 Practice
14:00 Lunch break
14:30 Trip to Aravete kart track (by registration)
16:00 Ensemble lessons / practice
17:00 Folk music workshop / practice
18:00 Piano lessons / practice
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Concert (Tähe-Lee Liiv, piano)
Monday, July 21
11:00 Short hike with a visit near the A. H. Tammsaare Museum in Vargamäe
13:00 Piano lessons / practice
14:00 Lunch
15:00 Ensemble lessons / practice
16:00 Piano lessons / practice
17:00 Folk music workshop / practice
19:00 Young pianists’ concert
20:30 Campfire evening and sauna at Jäägri Villa with international participants
Tuesday, July 22
10:00 Swimming trip (weather permitting)
13:00 Piano lessons / practice
14:00 Lunch
15:00 Ensemble lessons / practice
16:00 Piano lessons / practice
17:00 Folk music workshop / practice
19:00 Final concert of piano enthusiasts and young pianists; closing of the course
Venue: Albu manor
Albu Manor, situated in Järva County, Estonia, is one of the oldest manors in the country.
The name of this manor was first mentioned by historians in 1282, and its buildings have been used by a school since 1921. Surrounded by a beautiful park, Albu Manor consists of one main historic house, which has been largely restored, in addition to a couple newer buildings within the same park area. It is an idyllic place in the middle of nature.
Facilities
The courses offer excellent practice conditions, opportunities to perform and attend open lessons, masterclasses, and concerts, as well as free time activities. Parents are very welcome to support children during the courses. Participants under 12 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Parental help and cooperation with transportation and meals are greatly appreciated.
Leisure / Local Attractions
Near Albu Manor, there is also a children’s playground and an artificial lake.
Travel Information
From the airport:
The train stop "Ülemiste" is 850 m from the airport. The destination stop is "Aegviidu." Tickets (3–4 €) can be purchased on the train with a bank card.
From the port:
Go to the train stop "Tallinn" (main railway station "Balti Jaam," 2 km from the port). The destination stop is "Aegviidu." Tickets (3–4 €) can be purchased on the train with a bank card.
Trains run approximately once an hour, all day until late evening. Elron schedules
It is also possible to be picked up by car from Aegviidu, about 20 km from Albu. Group car arrangements from Tallinn can also be organized; notify via email: kammermuusikud@gmail.com
Course Fees, Registration, and Discounts
Note: The 2025 course is fully booked, and registration is closed.
Registration is open until all spots are filled (hurry to secure your place!).
To register for the Albu International Piano Camp, please fill out the Albu registration form 2025. A confirmation email will be sent shortly after registration.
More information: +372 55913910
International Masterclass Fees (19–24 July)
Participation fee: €300 (does not include accommodation or meals)
10% prepayment (€30) is required before registration (receipt must be attached to the registration form).
Remaining €270 is due after receiving the invoice (about 1 week before the camp starts).
10% discount is available for participants teaching at the Youth Camp.
Piano Teacher’s Day Fee (20 July)
Participation fee: €20 (does not include accommodation or meals)
10% prepayment (€2) is required before registration (receipt must be attached to the registration form).
Participation is free for Järva county piano teachers and participants/parents of the Albu Piano Enthusiasts course or Albu International Pianists Summer Course (except for registration fee).
Piano Enthusiasts Course Fees (20–22 July)
Participation fee: €100 (does not include accommodation or meals)
10% prepayment (€10) is required before registration (receipt must be attached).
Discounts and scholarships are available for Järva county piano enthusiasts and PJK students.
Accommodation (according to registration)
Shared rooms at Jäägri Villa: €38/night (up to 3 people per room, includes breakfast; higher rate for 1 night or single occupancy)
Large shared room at Jäägri Villa: €15/night (up to 10 people, no breakfast, bring your own mattress, bed linen, and towel)
Large room at Albu Youth Center: €10/night (up to 6 people, bring your own mattress, bed linen, and towel; kitchen available)
Both accommodations are a 3-minute walk from Albu Manor, where lessons and practice take place.
Meals (according to registration)
At Jäägri Villa:
Breakfast at 9:00 (€6.50, free for Villa residents)
Lunch at 14:00 (€11.20)
Dinner at 18:00 (€11.20)
Albu grocery store (3-minute walk from Albu Manor)
Mon–Fri: 10:00–18:00, Sat: 10:00–16:00
Kitchen facilities are available at Albu Manor and the Youth Center.
