Frost Summer Experience
Instrumental Intensive: Orchestra and Chamber
July 7-18, 2025
The Instrumental Intensive at Frost Summer Experience is a two-week immersion into the world of classical music, offering high school musicians a chance to hone their skills and grow alongside talented peers. Students will be guided by Frost faculty, including Prof. Scott Flavin and Prof. Maragret Donaghue, as well as accomplished alumni and high-profile professionals in the fields of performance and education. Campers engage in enriching chamber music sessions, ensemble rehearsals, instrumental technique classes, and orchestra performances that foster both individual artistry and teamwork.
Beyond performance, students gain insight into the music industry with workshops in music business and musicianship, peak performance and performance anxiety, as well as audition preparation giving them a well-rounded foundation for a future in music. This unique program combines hands-on learning, expert mentorship, and collaborative creativity for a summer of unparalleled musical growth.
Register today and submit a placement video audition* introducing yourself and performing one composition of your choice so we can get to know you better!
*Please note: Those interested in auditioning for the special Chamber Intensive portion of the program will need to submit an additional composition, so two works in total.
Meet the Program Director
Inesa Gegprifti
Albanian-born pianist Inesa Gegprifti enjoys a varied musical life as a performer, teacher, and coordinator of artistic events. She is an avid lover of chamber music and has appeared at Festival Baltimore, Vivace Vilnius Festival, and Portogruaro Festival, as well as with the National Radio Television Orchestra of Albania and Indian Hill Orchestra. She has been a guest speaker at the University of North Texas, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, and Heidelberg University.
Dr. Gegprifti is a graduate of the United World College of the Adriatic, The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Jacobs School of Music - Indiana University, and Frost School of Music - University of Miami. Her mentors over the years have included Valbona Kasaj, Max Levinson, Alberto Miodini, Igor Cognolato, Trio di Trieste, Evelyne Brancart, Santiago Rodriguez, and Naoko Takao.
After her doctoral studies at Frost, Dr. Gegprifti made Miami her home, where she resides with her husband, pianist Redi Llupa. Together they form Duo Spektra, an ensemble that aims to promote music by Albanian composers among others. In 2022-23, Duo Spektra gave two U.S. premieres and collaborated with Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation in their most recent Piano Slam production. Dr. Gegprifti is on the faculty of the Frost Preparatory Program. She is a program coordinator at the Frost Summer Experience, and an adjunct faculty member for the Keyboard Department at Frost School, where she also enjoys performing with Frost Chamber Players. Since 2021, she has also served as the program coordinator of the Frost Chopin Festival with artistic director, Kevin Kenner.
Scott Flavin: Violin Private Lessons, Chamber Coaching, Orchestra and String Ensemble Conductor, Workshops in Peak Performance
Scott Flavin, professor of violin and conducting at the Frost School of Music, enjoys an incredibly versatile career, as a conductor, violinist, composer, writer, and pedagogue. As a conductor, he holds several important positions, including the newly-appointed Resident Conductor of the Symphony of the Americas, as well as Resident Conductor of The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. He is conducting artist faculty at the Eastern Music Festival and also the founding conductor of the Camerata Orchestra in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. He has conducted for various festivals, and the nationally- broadcast “Jazz and the Philharmonic” for PBS television, as well as recordings and performances for a wide variety of notable artists, from Joseph Silverstein to the Beach.
Margaret Donaghue: Clarinet Private Lessons, Chamber Music Coaching, Clarinet Summer Academy - Week 2
Margaret Donaghue Flavin is associate professor, director of the woodwind program at the Frost School of Music. Dr. Donaghue has performed as chamber musician and soloist in more than a dozen countries across three continents. She has performed in major venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, American Cathedral in Paris, St Martin-in-the-Fields, and The American Academy in Rome.
Chamber music recital venues include Paris, London, Rome, Boston, New York City, Honolulu, and Grand Cayman, as well others across the US, Europe and Japan. Dr. Donaghue has appeared as soloist with the Shanghai Broadcast Symphony and the Shen Zhen Symphony, Shen Zhen, China, as well as the Russe State Philharmonic, Russe, Bulgaria. She has performed at international conferences in Oslo, Norway; Manchester, England; Assisi, Italy; Chicago, Los Angeles, St Louis, and New Orleans, among others. During a chamber music tour of Europe she performed the sextet L’Heure du Berger, with composer Jean Françaix at the piano.
Dr. Donaghue performs as clarinetist with PULSE Trio, an exciting and versatile chamber group, along with Scott Flavin, violin and Naoko Takao, piano. She also plays recorders for the early music ensemble, Impulso Barroco, the Baroque counterpart of PULSE, committed to unique and engaging period performances. She is a founding member of MiamiClarinet and Miami Chamber Ensemble, and has performed across the United States and abroad with both ensembles. MiamiClarinet is quartet comprised of Dr. Donaghue and three of her former Frost students, all of whom are now university professors. They are passionate about new music, specifically chamber music repertoire for the clarinet. To date they have premiered over a dozen works written for them over the past six years.
Dr. Donaghue is the Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Chamber Music Festival, which she co-founded in 2014 with her husband, violinist/conductor Scott Flavin. She is a sought-after clinician and adjudicator. She is currently coordinator for the International Clarinet Association High School competition for Orlando, 2017 and Ostend, Belgium, 2018. She has adjudicated for The ICA’s Young Artist, High School, and Research competitions numerous times. Dr. Donaghue also served a three-year term as a member of the Fulbright National Screening Committee, and is State Chair of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors.
She received the Doctor or Musical Arts degree from the University of Illinois, the Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of New Hampshire. Prior to coming to Miami, Dr. Donaghue served on the faculties of Central Michigan University and the University of Connecticut. She is a Buffet Crampon Performing Artist, and D’Addario Woodwinds Artist. She can be heard frequently on Public Radio, and has recorded for the Centaur, Albany, Altarus and Living Composers labels.
Naoko Takao: Chair of the Keyboard Department at the Frost School of Music: Workshop for Pianists on July 16th
A prizewinner of numerous competitions including the gold medal at the San Antonio International Piano Competition, Takao enjoys a multi-faceted career as a soloist, chamber musician, a pedagogue, and a researcher. Recent engagements include: an all-Beethoven solo recital under the auspices of the SAIPC and San Antonio Symphony, concerto appearances (Mozart’s K. 459, 503, and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue), and teaching at the Vianden Music Festival (Luxembourg). She has appeared at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, Weill Recital Hall, Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress, Lensic Performing Arts Center (Santa Fe), Caramoor, Le Domaine Forget (Canada), and Taipei National Concert Hall. While known for her affinity to works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninov, Takao is equally sought after as an enthusiastic advocate of newly composed music, and has premiered many works to high acclaim at organizations such as the Society of Composers and International Alliance for Women in Music. Her 2015 release of the complete 12 piano sonatas by Vincent Persichetti is followed by another album of his chamber music. The latter includes the world-premiere of Concertato for Piano and String Quartet, Op. 12, based on a manuscript discovered during her recent research at the New York Public Library. She can be heard on Capstone, Centaur, Dorian, Elan, and Friends of Smithsonian labels.
In addition, Takao’s passion for collaborative work has made her a seasoned veteran in chamber music scenes, playing for all instruments imaginable in recital settings. She has also frequently served as an orchestral pianist for larger ensembles such as the Washington D. C. based Post Classical Ensemble (directed by Joseph Horowitz), the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, and the Smithsonian Chamber Ensemble/Players (directed by Kenneth Slowik)—a long time affiliation with recording engagements including a GRAMMY-nominated album. As an adjudicator, she has been invited as a juror for competitions such as San Antonio International Piano Competition, WPTA International Piano Competition (Novi Sad, Serbia), and Discover Chamber Music National Competition (Chicago). Takao is also busy in academic circles, appearing at various colleges and universities as an invited artist, adjudicator, masterclass clinician, or a conference presenter.
Combining her unique performance background with research, she directs the FSOM graduate programs in Keyboard Performance and Pedagogy, an innovative curriculum specifically designed to provide a platform for an in-depth pedagogical inquiry, embracing knowledge from both historical and the latest empirical sources while pursuing performance refinement. Her research interest of late is on cognitive neuroscience and its application to piano performance and the learning process, which resulted in a winning grant proposal.
Originally from Japan, Takao came to the United States alone while only a teenager, following the recommendation by the late Alicia de Larrocha whom she was introduced to through Mie Ishii. After studying at the Preparatory Program of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Nathan Schwartz, she studied with Raymond Hanson, Anne Koscielny and Santiago Rodriguez at the Hartt School of Music and University of Maryland, College Park. In chamber music, she coached extensively with the members of the Guarneri Quartet, in particular, with the late David Soyer.
Oliver Diez: Instrumental Techniques, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Music Coaching
Oliver Diez was born and raised in Miami, FL. He earned his Bachelors and Master's Degrees in Music Education from Florida International University. He is currently in his 26th year at Palmetto Elementary where he teaches General Music to students in grades K-5 and is also director of bands and chorus. In 1999 he was voted as Palmetto Elementary's "Rookie Teacher of the Year" and in 2002 as "Teacher of the Year". In 2019 he was selected as the 2020 Miami-Dade County Public Schools District Teacher of the year. Mr. Diez has been nominated twice for the "Grammy Music Educator Award" and has been a "Who's Who in Education" nominee. He directed the Superintendent's Honors Recorder Ensemble in 2007 and 2018. He also received a proclamation on June 7th, 2011 by the mayor of Pinecrest declaring that date "Oliver Diez Day". In October of 2021 he received the Key to the City of Miami from Mayor Francis Suarez.
Mr. Diez has established an active music program at Palmetto Elementary which consists of a Beginning Band, Concert Band, Jazz Combo, a Drumline, a Chorus, and two levels of String Orchestra. All this being accomplished before and after school hours. He has had fourth and fifth graders chosen for both All-State Elementary Chorus and All-State Orff Ensemble (2006-2025) as well as for Superintendent's Honors Festival in Chorus, Bell Ensemble, Recorder Ensemble, Middle School Concert band, and Orchestra. His groups have received 1st and 2nd place along with Choral / Instrumental Grand Champions at Orlando's Music U.S.A. Festival since 2002. They have also received various Superior ratings. In 2017 his elementary concert band performed alongside the F.I.U. Wind Ensemble. His groups have also performed at Miami Marlins and Miami Heat games as well as various performances around the community. His concert band and chorus students were honored in 2019 when invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Katarzyna Cieslik: Instrumental Techniques, Chamber Music Coaching
Katarzyna Cieslik earned her Master’s Degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy from the Chopin University of Music in Poland. For two decades, she was a violinist with the acclaimed Podlasie Philharmonic Orchestra, performing extensively across the globe from the U.K. to Russia, the U.S. (notably at Carnegie Hall), and China. As an orchestral musician, she collaborated with renowned composers and conductors such as Witold Lutosławski, Stanisław Skrowaczewski, and Krzysztof Penderecki.
Since relocating to the U.S. in 2015, Ms. Cieslik has combined her extensive orchestral experience with a deep passion for nurturing young musicians. She has taught at several music institutions, including the Miami Fine Arts Academy, Superior Academy of Music, the Community Arts Program, and Miami Music Project. She has served as Associate Conductor of Strings at Miami Arts Charter School and recently started directing the string ensemble at True North Academy.
She has been employed at the Frost Preparatory Department since 2017, where she has been engaged not only as violin instructor, but also as coach for the Advanced String Chamber Program, as well as founder and director of the String Ensemble at the Prep (STEP), providing students with orchestral training and regular performance opportunities across Miami. As a certified instructor of the Royal Conservatory of Music program and the Music Mind Games method, she regularly prepares her students for the RCM exams, where many of her students have received special recognition.
Beyond her teaching commitments, Ms. Cieslik remains an active orchestral performer, regularly appearing with regional ensembles such as the Miami Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Symphony, Boca Symphonia, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Florida Chamber Orchestra, and Naples Opera.
Redi Lupa: Instrumental Techniques, Piano Duet, Chamber Music Coaching
Albanian-born pianist Redi Llupa has distinguished himself by performing in prestigious venues in Europe, North and South America, and Asia. An avid advocate of contemporary repertoire, Llupa continuously collaborates with and performs music by living composers and has been the dedicatee of works by Aleksandër Peçi, Ermir Bejo, and Joseph Klein. Since 2015, he worked closely with Pulitzer Prize winning composer George Walker, becoming the first pianist to give the premiere performance of Walker’s complete piano sonatas in 2017. Dr. Llupa has appeared in various festivals including Festival Baltimore at UMBC, PIANODROM International Festival in Tirana, ReMusica International Festival in Pristina, James Madison Contemporary Music Festival in Virginia, and New Century New Voices in Vermont. Dr. Llupa has received guidance from phenomenal teachers over the years, including Nadjezhda Porodini, Alberto Miodini, Max Levinson, Menahem Pressler, and Santiago Rodriguez. Recent performances of note include the April 2024 concert with the National Radio-Television Orchestra of Albania, performing a monumental concerto by Albanian composer, Feim Ibrahimi, in collaboration with conductor Kanako Abe, and the world premiere of Joseph Klein’s Pathways IV: Rhymes and Spirals with Frost’s own Ensemble Ibis and conductor Shawn Crouch in April 2025.
Tadao Hermida: Instrumental Techniques, Chamber Music Coaching
Born in Puebla City, Mexico, Tadao is a versatile musician who is very active in the South Florida musical scene. He plays regularly with several orchestras throughout South Florida and is a core member of the Orlando-based "Musiva" concert series. In recent years, Tadao was a featured musician with Natalia Lafourcade at the Rolling Stone en Español awards, was a soloist with the Frost Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Gerard Schwarz, and has played in the Opera Naples Festival and the Miami International Piano Festival orchestras. Tadao has been recently featured in recordings as a cello soloist in tracks by renowned popular music artists such as Carlos Rivera, Vanesa Martin, and Tainy.
Tadao began his cello studies with his father at the age of four and participated in masterclasses from musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Gustav Rivinius, and Eric Kim. Tadao most recently received his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the Frost School of Music, studying with Ross Harbaugh. Prior, he obtained his Bachelor of Music in cello performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, studying under Yehuda Hanani, and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Beiyao Ji: Piano Duet
Originally from Sichuan, China, Beiyao is recognized for his artistry and technical brilliance. A winner of competitions such as the Hong Kong–Asia Open Piano Competition, Torrance Symphony Orchestra Competition, and Brentwood-Westwood Symphony Orchestra Competition, he has established himself as a compelling soloist and collaborator on the international stage.
Beiyao has performed across Asia, Europe, and North America, captivating audiences with his expressive interpretations. He has appeared with esteemed ensembles, including The Colburn Orchestra under Miguel Harth-Bedoya, the Brentwood-Westwood Symphony Orchestra, and the Torrance Symphony Orchestra.
Beyond his solo career, Beiyao thrives in collaborative settings. He founded the piano trio NOA during his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, leading to invitations from the Detroit Chamber Music Society for performances and lectures. His chamber music achievements include winning first prize at the Milhaud Competition alongside clarinetist Jaewon Kim.
Beiyao holds a Bachelor of Music from the Colburn School, where he studied under the legendary John Perry, a Master of Music and Artist Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music mentored by Antonio Pompa-Baldi, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where he studied under the distinguished Kevin Kenner.
Currently, Beiyao serves as the Principal Pianist for the Symphony of the Americas and the collaborative pianist on staff at the Wertheim School of Music at Florida International University. He has been on the faculty of the Frost Preparatory Program since 2018, working with students of various levels, and is passionate about paying forward his expertise to Miami’s young musicians.
Nathaniel Holman: Instrumental Techniques, Chamber Music Coaching
Nathaniel Holman is a percussionist and educator currently based in Miami, FL. Nathaniel has a passion for pedagogy. He currently serves on faculty at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, teaching private lessons and co-directing the percussion ensemble. Prior to this appointment, he worked with the Southern Florida Center for Percussive Arts and was a private teacher, percussion ensemble director, and drum line tech for Oswego East High School, Neuqua Valley High School, Bolingbrook High School, and Murphy Junior High. His students have gone on to pursue music careers at Northern Illinois University and The University of Illinois and have regularly placed in All-State band, the Summer Juilliard Percussion Seminar, and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. Further, Nathaniel has appeared as an international clinician, notably with his research on the historical performance of baroque music on marimba, and has presented multiple masterclasses in several countries and conventions. This summer, he will present research at the 2025 National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy.
As an active performer, Nathaniel has a career spanning being a soloist at the Illinois Day of
Percussion to playing with the New World Symphony. He has performed numerous solo and
collaborative recitals where he has had the privilege of sharing the stage with artists such as
Jenny Klukken, Matthew Coley, Lynn Vartan, and Gordon Stout. Nathaniel is a member of Heartland Marimba where he regularly collaborates on tours and projects that have taken place in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, including a showcase concert at the Percussive Arts Society Internationally Conference (2022). Further, he was selected to perform with the 2024 World Percussion Group where he performed as both a soloist and ensemble member in England, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, and Finland.
Along with his extensive list of solo, ensemble, and chamber experience, Nathaniel was also a
named semi-finalist in the 2021 Great Plains Marimba Competition, a finalist in the 2021 International Bamburg Marimba Competition, received 2nd in the International Artist Competition (hosted by Southern California Marimba), and placed third as a concert artist in the professional category of the 2024 Chicago International Music Competition. Nathaniel holds a BM in percussion performance from Wheaton College (IL) and a Master of Music from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. He is currently pursuing a DMA in performance at the Frost School of Music (University of Miami) where he studies with Svet Stoyanov and Joe Petrasek. Nathaniel serves on the PAS Health and Wellness Committee and proudly endorses Marimba One and Salyers Percussion products.
Video Audition Requirements:
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Make sure that your chosen angle shows your entire body including a full view of your instrument (or keyboard and pedals in the case of pianists)
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Be sure to have a quiet space when recording.
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Image orientation should be in landscape.
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Upload your video to your Acceptd Application.
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Include your name, age, program you are auditioning for, and chosen repertoire in the video.
All applicants should submit a placement audition video containing the performance of one work of their choice. Those interested in being considered for the Chamber Intensive program, where campers receive individual chamber coaching, must also submit the following requirements (by instrument):
Piano:
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Scales and Arpeggios: 4 octaves, hands together - D, B, and B-flat major; in 8th notes, quarter note = 96 and up.
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A movement of a Classical sonata or concerto (unless your first chosen work is from the classical era, then your choice here should be contrasting in style, so any work from the Baroque, Romantic, Modern era)
Violin:
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Scales and Arpeggios: choose three of the following: C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb - 3 octaves, in 8th notes, quarter = 60-80
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A work contrasting with your other choice, including etudes, movements of partitas, sonatas, concerti, character pieces, etc. (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Viola:
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Scales and Arpeggios: choose three of the following: C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb - 3 octaves, in 8th notes, quarter = 60-80
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A work contrasting with your other choice, including etudes, movements of partitas, sonatas, concerti, character pieces, etc. (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Cello:
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Scales and Arpeggios: choose three of the following: C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb - 3 octaves, in 8th notes, quarter = 60-80
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A work contrasting with your other choice, including etudes, movements of partitas, sonatas, concerti, character pieces, etc. (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Double bass:
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Scales and Arpeggios: choose two of the following: C, D, Bb, Eb: 1 octave, in 8th notes, quarter = 60-80 || AND choose two of the following: G, F, A major: 2 octaves – no displacement.
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A work contrasting with your other choice, including etudes, movements of partitas, sonatas, concerti, character pieces, etc. (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Flute:
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Scales: Chromatic scale - 3 octaves from C & a 2-octave scale of your choice
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A work contrasting with your other choice, that showcases lyrical and/or technical playing, including etudes, sonatas, first movements of concerti (with or without piano accompaniment) - (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Clarinet:
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Scales: Chromatic scale - 3 octaves from E & a 2-octave scale of your choice
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A work contrasting with your other choice, that showcases lyrical and/or technical playing, including etudes, sonatas, first movements of concerti (with or without piano accompaniment) - (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Oboe:
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Scales and Arpeggios: your choice of a major key - 2 octaves (at least up to the F above the staff) & chromatic scale - 2 octaves starting from D
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A work contrasting with your other choice, that showcases lyrical and/or technical playing, including etudes, sonatas, first movements of concerti (with or without piano accompaniment) - (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Bassoon:
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Scales: Chromatic scale - 3 octaves from B-flat
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A work contrasting with your other choice, that showcases lyrical and/or technical playing, including etudes, sonatas, first movements of concerti (with or without piano accompaniment) - (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Trumpet:
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Scales: Chromatic scale - 2 octaves from G
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A work contrasting with your other choice, that showcases lyrical and technical playing, including etudes, sonatas, first movements of concerti (with or without piano accompaniment) - (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
French Horn:
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Scales: Chromatic scale - 2 octaves from G
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A work contrasting with your other choice, that showcases lyrical and technical playing, including etudes, sonatas, first movements of concerti (with or without piano accompaniment) - (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Trombone:
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Scales: Chromatic scale - 2 octaves from F
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A work contrasting with your other choice, that showcases lyrical and technical playing, including etudes, sonatas by Bach, first movements of concerti (with or without piano accompaniment); orchestral excerpts are acceptable as well. (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Tuba:
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Scales: Chromatic scale - 2 octaves from F
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A work contrasting with your other choice, that showcases lyrical and technical playing, including etudes, sonatas, first movements of concerti (with or without piano accompaniment); orchestral excerpts are acceptable as well. (it can also be an orchestral excerpt)
Percussion:
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Mallet instruments: any scale of your choice & a solo composition or ensemble excerpt of your choice
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Timpani: any solo or ensemble excerpt of your choice
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9:00 - 10:05: Instrumental Techniques
10:15 - 11:20: Piano Workshop / String Ensemble / Wind Ensemble
11:30: Lunch
12:45 - 1:50: Chamber Music Intensive / Practice Sessions / Improv Sessions
2:00 - 3:20: Workshops: Music Business, Peak Performance, Audition Prep - All tracks joined (except on days when there will be a masterclass)
3:30 - 5:00: Orchestra / Piano Duet
2025 Program Tuition: $1,800.00
Tuition Includes: Program Instruction and performance, daily lunch, and program shirt. Program tuition does not include: on campus housing and commuter parking.
Note: Camp tuition does not include the Acceptd Application fee of $50.00.
On Campus summer housing will be available for non-local program participants.
Housing Check in day: Sunday, July 6, 2025 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm.
Housing Check out day: Saturday, July 19, 2025 before 12:00pm.Cost for Program Housing: $1,900.00
Housing cost includes: Double Room occupancy for 13 nights, dorm linen package (bed sheet, comforter, pillow, bath towel, and washcloth), all daily meals (breakfast/lunch/dinner) in our dorm dining hall.
Students electing to add housing will need to indicate it on the application when asked. More information will be posted on the website once the University Housing Office finalizes all logistics for the new summer sessions. Any questions should be directed to: frostsummerprograms@miami.edu.