About the Chicago Duo Piano Festival
Called a “duo piano mecca” by Pioneer Press, the world-renowned Chicago Duo Piano Festival was founded in 1988 by Music Institute of Chicago faculty members and Piano Duo in Residence Claire Aebersold Neiweem and Ralph Neiweem. Its mission is to foster a deeper interest in the repertoire, performance, and teaching of music for piano, four hands and two pianos, in a fun and supportive atmosphere. The Festival offers summer and winter events, which include coachings, master classes, concerts with special guest artists, and student recitals for students youth through adult. In addition, the festival organizes periodic duo piano competitions that draw young professionals from around the world.
Summer 2026: Chicago Duo Piano Festival Concerts
Sunday, July 12 at 3 pm
Gala Opening Concert: Claire Aebersold Neiweem and Ralph Neiweem
Festival Co-Founders and Music Institute Piano Duo in Residence Claire Aebersold Neiweem and Ralph Neiweem kick off the Festival with performances of works by Mozart, Brahms, Debussy, and Charles Ives, plus the world premiere performance of “Through Time” by accomplished composer and MIC alumna Maddie Stephenson.
Tuesday, July 14 at 7 PM
Faculty Extravaganza
In tribute to America 250, Music Institute piano faculty perform a program of works for piano duo primarily by American composers, including Copland, Bernstein, Ives, Corigliano, and more. Performers include Inna Chiu and Sung Mo; Louise Chan and Susan Tang; Matthew Hagle and Mio Isoda-Hagle; Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem; and Xiaomin Liang and Jue He.
Friday, July 17 at 7 pm
Guest Duo Concert: EStrella Piano Duo
The EStrella Piano Duo, comprised of Elena Doubovitskaya and Svetlana Belsky, burst onto the musical scene in 2011 with a series of concerts celebrating the great Russian masterpieces for piano duo. Since then, they have performed widely to enthusiastic audiences and critical acclaim throughout the U.S., Canada, and China. Their most recent CD is In Her Own Voice, piano duos by women composers. The EStrella Duo will be performing works by Gershwin, Rachmaninoff and Barber, among others.
Saturday, July 18 at 10 am
Guest Duo Master Class: EStrella Piano Duo
Free, public master class with Elena Doubovitskaya and Svetlana Belsky.
Sunday, July 19 at 2 pm
Final Student Recital
The Festival closes with a performance by participating Chicago Duo Piano Festival students. Free and open to the public.
Chicago Duo Piano Festival: Summer 2026
July 12, 2026 - July 19, 2026
Artistic Directors: Claire Aebersold Neiweem and Ralph Neiweem
Evanston Campus and
Nichols Concert Hall
1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL
COACHINGS • MASTER CLASSES • CONCERTS • STUDENT RECITAL
This summer marks the Chicago Duo Piano Festival's 38th anniversary season. Founded in 1988 by MIC resident piano duo Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem, the mission of the festival is to foster a deeper interest in the repertoire, performance, and teaching of music for piano, four hands, and two pianos, in a fun and supportive atmosphere.
The annual Chicago Duo Piano Festival is a wonderful opportunity to meet new pianists and make new friends while building pianistic and ensemble skills. Enjoy special concerts and master classes and participate in a culminating student recital at Nichols Concert Hall. Students will be paired with one or two duo partners and will receive more intensive coaching on select pieces. Students will be assigned appropriate repertoire and partners based on age and level. Adult students currently practicing regularly with more than one partner may arrange coachings accordingly.
