General Information
DFestival 2025 will be held from July 18 to July 31, 2025, in Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China.
A: DFestival stands out as a non-profit program that offers intensive professional training with internationally renowned faculty, maintains a small student-to-faculty ratio, and provides a unique platform for cultural exchange among students.
A: DFestival aims to nurture young pianists with an international perspective and exceptional artistic performance skills, promoting the dissemination, innovation, and fusion of musical culture while enhancing the international status of Chinese music education.
A: DFestival maintains strategic partnerships with major music academies and colleges in mainland China and Hong Kong, including collaboration with Xiamen Tan Kah Kee College.
A: The festival includes various public performances and concerts that observers can attend. Specific observation policies for classes and masterclasses should be confirmed with the organizers.
Program Structure
A: The festival offers four program options:
- Elite Intensive Program (July 17-31): Full two-week participation
- Prime Advanced Program (July 24-31): Second week participation
- Junior Program (July 17-24): First week participation
- Observer Program: One-day, discounted one-week and two-week observer pass options available.
Special package:
【Parent Companion Package】
– 7-Day Package: HKD $2, 800/person
– 14-Day Package: HKD $4, 410/person
Companion Package Includes:
– Comfortable Hotel Accommodation (Same Room as Student)
– Auditing Access to All DFestival Courses (Including Masterclasses, Private Lessons, Piano Group Classes)
– 2 Tickets to DFestival Master Concert Series (Value: HKD $805)
A: A typical day follows this general structure: Morning:
- 8:30-9:00: Arrival and warm-up
- 9:00-12:00: Private lessons/masterclasses Afternoon:
- 12:00-13:00: Lunch break
- 13:00-17:00: Additional lessons/masterclasses Evening:
- 17:00-18:30: Studio classes or workshops
- 19:00-21:00: Concerts (when scheduled)
A: Evening studio classes are included in all programs, and participation is encouraged for full educational benefit.
Application
A: The festival has a capacity of 45 students to maintain optimal learning conditions.
A: Applications are accepted through online video pre-screening. Click HERE to view the detailed requirements.
A: Yes, scholarship applications are available for Elite Intensive and Prime Advanced Program participants.
Repertoire Selection
• Applicants must submit two solo pieces from different periods and styles (genre unrestricted)
• Optional submission: (applicable for Elite Intensive/Prime Advanced Program applicants)
Students may prepare an additional chamber music excerpt (Fast movement)
- Video framing: Must show the performer’s full body, hand movements, and piano pedals. The camera angle should clearly display the piano keyboard and performer’s profile
- Technical specifications: All videos must be recorded in 1080p HD format, ensuring clear audio without distortion, and submitted in MP4 or MOV format
- Recording standards: Each piece must be recorded separately and in full, using a single continuous take without editing. Audio must be recorded live with no post-production processing
A: 210 RMB.
A: Anyone aged between 7 years old and 29 years old!
Practice Information
- Elite Intensive Program: Up to 6 hours daily
- Prime Advanced Program: Up to 4 hours daily
- Junior Program: Up to 3 hours daily
A: Practice room scheduling is organized to ensure fair access for all participants according to their program type.
- A: The festival provides:
- 20 practice rooms
- Most rooms equipped with upright pianos, some with grand pianos
- Air-conditioned facilities
- 2 rehearsal halls for chamber music
Faculty & Teaching
A: The 2025 faculty includes the following distinguished artists:
- Antonio Pompa-Baldi
- Andrew Tyson
- Chengzong Yin
- George Li
- Gabriel Kwok
- Hin-Sing Au
- Junhui Chen
- Ruoyu Huang
- Qitu Feng
- Rizzo Chung
- Xiaoqin Pan
A: Lessons are distributed to ensure students work with multiple faculty members throughout their program duration.
Accomodation & Travel
A: DFestival provides accommodation for all participants, with specific details provided upon acceptance.
- A: No, participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Xiamen. This includes:
- International/domestic flights or trains to Xiamen
- Transportation from Xiamen airport/station to the festival venue
- Return transportation after the festival Participants should plan their travel accordingly and arrive on time for registration.
- A: No, participants are responsible for their own local transportation during the festival period. We recommend:
- Familiarizing yourself with local public transportation options
- Budgeting for taxi/ride-sharing services if needed
- Planning your daily commute between accommodation and festival venues
- A: No, meals are not provided by the festival. Participants are responsible for their own meals throughout the festival. There are:
- Multiple dining options near the festival venues
- Restaurants and cafes within walking distance
- Supermarkets and convenience stores nearby
- Food delivery services available in the area
- Arriving one day before your program starts
- Planning enough time to settle in before registration
- Checking in during designated registration hours
- Scheduling departure after the closing ceremony of your program
- Making advance travel arrangements during peak season.
- A: While we can provide an official invitation letter for visa purposes upon request, participants are responsible for:
- Obtaining their own visas
- Ensuring proper documentation
- Meeting all immigration requirements
- Making necessary visa arrangements in advance
A: Yes, there are laundry facilities near the accommodation, but participants are responsible for their own laundry needs and expenses.
international dmasters piano COMPETITION (IDPC)
A: The International DMasters Piano Competition takes place on July 23-26, 2025.
- Emerging Artist Division (12 years old or under)
- Young Artist Division (13-17 years old)
- Professional Division (18-28 years old)
Both divisions have three rounds:
- First Round
- Semi-Finals
- Concerto / Chamber Music Finals
1. First Round: Video submission
– Applicants must submit video recordings (high-quality video recordings, unedited and filmed within the last 12 months) of TWO solo pieces from different periods (repertoire requirements are consistent with DFestival’s preliminary selection requirements). Applicants may also prepare a video recording of one additional chamber music piece (if available).
2. Semi-Final Round: 15-20 minutes free program
– It is recommended to include works from at least two contrasting musical periods
3. Concerto Final: First movement of a piano concerto
– Performed with Quartet Daedalus
– 8 finalists to select one concerto from the following list:
1. J.S. Bach: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K. 414
3. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488
4. Haydn: Piano Concerto in D major, Hob. XVIII:11
5. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19
6. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
– Repertoire choices for all rounds must be submitted at the time of application.
– Any changes must be approved by the competition committee at least 60 days prior to the performance date
1. First Round: Video submission
– Applicants must submit video recordings (high-quality video recordings, unedited and filmed within the last 12 months) of TWO solo pieces from different periods (repertoire requirements are consistent with DFestival’s preliminary selection requirements). Applicants may also prepare a video recording of one additional chamber music piece (if available).
2. Semi-Final Round: 20-25 minutes program
– Must include works from at least two contrasting musical periods
3. Concerto Final: First movement of a piano concerto
– Performed with Quartet Daedalus
– 5 finalists to select one concerto from the following list:
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K. 414
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488
3. Mozart: Piano Concerto in E-flat Major, K. 271, “Jeunehomme”
4. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19
5. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
6. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
7. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
8. Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
– Repertoire choices for all rounds must be submitted at the time of application.
– Any changes must be approved by the competition committee at least 60 days prior to the performance date
1. First Round: Video submission
– Applicants must submit video recordings (high-quality video recordings, unedited and filmed within the last 12 months) of TWO solo pieces from different periods (repertoire requirements are consistent with DFestival’s preliminary selection requirements). Applicants may also prepare a video recording of one additional chamber music piece (if available).
2. Semi-Final Round: 45-50 minute program
– Must include works from at least two contrasting musical periods
– The final piece of the program must be the first movement of a chamber work, performed with Quartet Dadaelus. Contestants must choose from the following list:
1. Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34
2. Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 44
3. Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81, B. 155
3. Concerto Final: Full Concerto
– Performed with Quartet Daedalus
– 3 finalists to select one concerto from the following list:
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto in E-flat Major, K. 271, “Jeunehomme”
2. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
3. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4 in G major, Op.58
4. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
5. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
6. Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
7. Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
8. Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
– Repertoire choices for all rounds must be submitted at the time of application.
– Any changes must be approved by the competition committee at least 60 days prior to the performance date
All competition rounds for all categories will be held in the Xiamen University Tan Kah Kee College Auditorium.
Performance Opportunities
- A: Depending on your program:
- Solo recital opportunities
- Chamber music concerts
- Concerto performance opportunities
- Masterclass performances
- Studio class performances
- Competition participation
- Closing gala concert
