pianoSonoma Announces pianoSonoma | Berkshires

pianoSonoma, under the leadership of Co-Founders and Artistic Directors Jessica Chow Shinn & Michael Shinn, delightedly announces the launch of pianoSonoma | Berkshires, a weeklong program held at The Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts from July 18-23, 2027. Applications are rolling and available here through December 1, 2026. 

An extension of pianoSonoma—now in its 17th year in Sonoma, CA—pianoSonoma | Berkshires gives space for adult music-lovers of any background to perform in or observe daily performance classes, learn from world-class musicians in creative group classes, and participate in private performances. 

Participants are paired with Artist Fellows, dynamic and innovative emerging musicians on the cutting-edge of the performing arts field today. Advanced participants may choose to be paired with Artist Faculty, experienced professional musicians at the forefront of their fields and who have several years of experience at pianoSonoma, including pianist Peter Dugan, trumpeter Riley Mulherkar, and violinist Doori Na.

In addition to welcoming participant applications, pianoSonoma | Berkshires is now accepting applications for its Artist Fellows program, which gives talented emerging musicians the opportunity to refine their leadership and teaching skills. Fellows will be mentored by Artist Faculty and will have the opportunity to perform in public concerts.

"We are thrilled to expand pianoSonoma to the Berkshires, a place that has been near and dear to our hearts for many years, due to its magical artistic scene and absolutely stunning scenery,” say Jessica and Michael Shinn. “One of the most exciting aspects of this particular location is that it is within driving distance of Boston and New York City. We hope to welcome new music-lovers to explore this special location with us.” 

To learn more and to apply, please visit pianosonoma.org.  

Tentative schedule
Sunday

Check-in
Optional opening reception dinner (fee applies)

Monday-Friday
9AM-12:15PM: Private lessons, guided rehearsals, and practice
12:15PM: Lunch

1:15-3:15PM: Performance or Creative Group Classes
TBD: Public concerts featuring our Artists around the Berkshires
On Fridays, the final participant concert will take place at 1:15pm.

Tuition
Duo with Artist Fellow, on-campus lodging included: $2650
Duo with Artist Fellow, lodging not included: $2300
Duo with Artist Faculty, on-campus lodging included: $3050
Duo with Artist Faculty, lodging not included: $2700

Application deadline: December 1, 2026

About pianoSonoma
pianoSonoma transforms the model of traditional concertgoing by actively engaging the general public with dynamic and innovative professional musicians in performance collaborations. Through the pursuit of artistic excellence, we build a community based on creativity, cultural relevancy, joy, and curiosity. 

About Michael Shinn & Jessica Chow Shinn
Co-Founders and Artistic Directors 
Pianists Jessica Chow Shinn and Michael Shinn perform regularly throughout the United States. Passionate advocates of new music, the Shinns have given world premieres by composers such as Adam Schoenberg and Thomas Cabaniss. They commissioned the latter to write a major two-piano concerto, Double Rainbow, which saw its premiere in 2017 with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and is the centerpiece of the newly-released album Double Rainbow: The Music of Thomas Cabaniss. As Yamaha Artists, the Shinns have been invited to speak about the role of the arts in society and to perform at the Pebble Beach Authors and Ideas Festival. 

Michael Shinn, DMA, was appointed executive director of Boston Conservatory at Berklee in October 2024. In this role, Shinn oversees strategy, operations, and artistic planning for the Conservatory and works closely with faculty members and administrators to develop a transformative curriculum that reflects an ever-evolving performing arts landscape. In addition, Shinn represents Boston Conservatory and its interests, both across the Berklee organization and in public arenas. . Learn more about Michael here. 

Jessica Chow Shinn is associate professor of piano and is head of collaborative piano at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She was a faculty member at The Juilliard School in the College and Evening Divisions from 2012-2017. Learn more about Jessica here.