2025 Oclef Piano Summer Camp
Every day, I teach piano online to student across the country. Students log in from their homes, and together we learn how to play piano, explore music theory, practice technique, and celebrate progress.
But once a year, something truly special happens—I fly from my home in Florida to California to join Oclef for a Week of Piano Summer Camp in person.
This trip is always a highlight of my year because it transforms the way I connect with my students. Some of the children I meet at camp are the same ones I’ve taught online for months or even years. Seeing them again in person is like reuniting with old friends—we pick up right where we left off. Other times, I get to meet students for the very first time, and it’s magical to see their excitement as they realize their online teacher is real, standing right beside them at the piano.
During camp, students take on exciting challenges: each one learns a brand-new piano solo piece and one duet piece, with the goal of performing them at our final concert on the last day. Beyond that, they dive into other creative music classes as well.
For example, Dr. I-Lin leads an Electronic Music Composition class, where students bring their iPads, open GarageBand, and compose and record their own short pieces of music.
This year, I had the joy of teaching two additional special classes:
Penta-scales & Music Theory: students learned how to build major pentascales and then transfer that knowledge to the piano. Since many Oclef students are preparing for the upcoming Certificate of Merit (CM) exam, this skill will be especially valuable for their progress.- Introduction to the Orchestra: we explored what an orchestra is, the different instrument families, and how each creates its own sound. The students loved discovering how to listen to a symphony and recognize which group of instruments is playing and I was amazed by how much they already knew and how quickly they picked it up.
At camp, I also get the chance to focus on the finer details of piano playing—things that are trickier to teach online, such as posture, hand position, using fingertips instead of flat fingers, or adding dynamics to make a piece come alive.
Teaching in person reminds me of the true power of music education: it’s not just about notes on a page, but about connection, creativity, and discovery. Every summer, I return home with a heart full of gratitude—for my students, their families, and the shared love of music that brings us together.
If you want your child to spend their summer both having fun and learning valuable skills, I highly recommend signing them up for Oclef Piano Summer Camp. It’s an unforgettable experience filled with music, friendships, and creativity.
I’m already looking forward to seeing everyone again next summer!
I’m grateful for the opportunity to return and teach in person, and for the generous invitation and support from the Oclef owners and admins who made this possible.
Here is a full performance
Ms. Yuliya Borshchova
Piano and Voice Professor
Piano and Voice Professor