Caruth Piano Studio
Announcements

The 2026–27 season.

Every recital, audition, festival, group class, and break - at a glance. Dates and times are subject to change; you'll be notified of any changes by email, and they never affect your number of lessons for the year.

Prefer a hard copy?

Download the season's full calendar of activities to print and keep on the fridge.

⤓ Season Calendar ⤓ Year at a Glance

Festival and competition names link out to the host organization's own page ↗

August – September
Sun, Aug 30
Lessons begin - annual registration fee includedSeason Opens
Sep 6 – 10
Labor Day break - no lessonsBreak
Wed, Sep 9
MTNA registration deadline, 2:00pm - for all competition performersDeadline
Sat, Sep 26
Group classes
October
Sat, Oct 10
DMMTA Ensemble (Monster) Concert - keep the whole day free for pre-assigned rehearsals; the concert is in the eveningConcert
Fri, Oct 23
Maverick PianoFest application deadline - see November 7 belowDeadline
Oct 24 – 25
MTNA Competition - Central College, Pella
Sat, Oct 31
Group classes
November – December
Nov 7 – 8
Maverick PianoFest (ages 12–18) - University of Nebraska-Omaha. Masterclasses with visiting professors and a faculty recital on Saturday; the Young Artist competition on Sunday. First prize $200, second prize $100. Lunch included. Apply by October 23; $70 application fee.New
Sat, Nov 14
Dorian Keyboard Festival (grades 5–12) - Luther College
Sat, Nov 21
Group classes
Sun, Nov 22
Sunday lessons only - makes up Easter Sunday, March 28
Nov 23 – 26
Thanksgiving break - no lessonsBreak
Sat, Dec 5
Group classes
Sat, Dec 19
Group classes
Dec 20 – Jan 2
Holiday break - no lessonsBreak
January
Sat, Jan 9
Recital - time and place to be announcedRecital
Sat, Jan 16
Group classes
Sat, Jan 23
DMMTA Auditions - Drake University, Des Moines
Sun, Jan 24
Second semester begins
February – March
Sat, Feb 6
Group classes
Sat, Feb 20
Truran Piano Competition (grades 7–12) - University of South Dakota, Vermillion
Sun, Mar 7
Honors Recital - for IMTA district winners advancing to state; time and place to be announced. Lessons that week may move to Saturday, March 6.Recital
Sat, Mar 13
IMTA State Auditions - Grinnell College
Mar 14 – 18
Spring break - no lessonsBreak
Sat, Mar 27
Group classes
Sun, Mar 28
Easter Sunday - no lessons, made up on November 22Break
April – May
Apr 4 – 8
MTNA Conference, St. Louis - no lessonsBreak
Sat, Apr 10
Duet & Chamber Festival and summer camp scholarship tryouts - Grand Living Theater, Des Moines
Sat, Apr 24
Group classes
Sat, May 1
Awards Recital - time and place to be announcedRecital
Sat, May 15
Group classes
Summer
June – August
5 additional summer lessons for every student, bringing the year to 48 meetings. Scheduled according to mutual availability.
General Reminders

Worth repeating.

  • Check the calendar regularly so you always know when you do and don't have lessons and group class.
  • Group class placement and times are listed on the studio calendar - ten Saturdays across the year.
  • Each student receives exactly 48 class and private lessons plus registration over the contract year.
  • Tuition is paid in advance, due by the final lesson of each month to hold your student's time slot. If it has not arrived by the first of the month, a $20 late fee is deducted from your deposit balance.
  • No makeup lessons - attend your reserved time or swap with another family via the calendar page. Ill or snowed in? Zoom is always available. Lessons missed by the teacher are always made up.
  • No school on lesson day? Contact me for an earlier time - any evening I finish early is a bonus for everyone.
  • Spend waiting time warming up.
  • You'll be notified when your book/activity account nears depletion.
  • Please park across the street!