The Pacific Northwest’s Premier Music School Turns 20—and We’re Just Getting Started
While others talk about excellence, we deliver it—week after week, concert after concert. As the Chopin Academy of Music celebrates its 20th anniversary, we’re not just looking back at two decades of student success, top competition results, and transformative education—we’re raising the bar for what a music school can and should be.
No Other School Does This. Period.
Let’s be blunt: no other music school in the Pacific Northwest presents anything close to what CAM offers its students. In the 2025–26 season alone, we’re hosting a jaw-dropping lineup of international guest artists, including names who perform in the world’s most prestigious venues and conservatories. These are not livestreams or distant dreams—these are live, in-person events, held in professional venues, for the benefit of our students and families.
Just last weekend, we welcomed Dominic Doutney, 2024 Professional Gold Medalist of the Seattle International Piano Competition and winner of the Washington International Competition. With breathtaking lyricism, poignant poise, and fearless virtuosity, he filled the Sacred Heart Chapel to the rafters, earning a standing ovation in one of the most stirring guest artist recitals in recent memory. This was not just a concert—it was a glimpse into the future of piano artistry.
There is no substitute for the visceral energy of a live performance—what students learn from the nuances, presence, and unpredictability of a concert cannot be replicated in recordings or the classroom.
This kind of shared musical experience doesn’t just elevate artistry—it strengthens community. As a recent article from the University of Oslo puts it: “Concerts bind people together… music may have offered an advantage for survival.” The study found that live audiences feel greater connection not only with the musicians, but with one another—something livestreams simply can’t replicate.
→ Read the full article: The miraculous effect of music: Concerts bind people together
What’s Next? World-Class, On Repeat.
Our next guest? The legendary Sara Davis Buechner—one of North America’s most compelling concert pianists—arrives in October for another masterclass and recital experience you won’t want to miss. Later in the year, we welcome Alexandre Dossin, Zeru Wang, Sean Terada Yang, Cezary Karwowski, combined CAM faculty, and more, rounding out a season that could rival the artist roster of a major university or festival.
All of this is part of our 20th Anniversary Celebration, a full academic year of special events that include faculty concerts, alumni showcases, and opportunities for students to perform, grow, and be inspired.
For Our Students, It’s Free—and It’s Required
Unlike other schools that charge steep fees for masterclasses or high-profile events, CAM students and their families attend these recitals free of charge (with up to two accompanying adults). For students in our Exam Track, attendance at two of these events is required in order to qualify for our annual Honors Recital at Benaroya Hall—but frankly, you’ll want to attend more.
Why? Because sitting just feet away from the artistry of international musicians changes how you hear, how you learn, and how you play. It elevates everything.
Come be a part of the Northwest’s most vibrant and ambitious music school. Whether you’re here to build a future in music—or simply want to experience the joy of high-level learning in a world-class environment—there’s no better time to be at CAM.
Visit chopinacademy.com for the full season schedule and join us as we celebrate 20 unforgettable years—with many more to come.
