The Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) Academy is a nationally recognized pre-conservatory program for gifted pianists and string players. The program provides a comprehensive music education for students who aspire to be professional musicians. The Academy is a musical community of faculty, staff, and students who come together each Saturday, September through May, for an intensive 30-week program. The curriculum focuses on providing a comprehensive musical education that includes private lessons with Academy artist faculty, a rigorous chamber music component, a stimulating chamber orchestra experience, and accelerated music theory classes. Pianists additionally study keyboard history and literature, improvisation, and keyboard skills in an intimate group setting. A hallmark of the Academy is the frequent master class when the student body gathers with acclaimed artists and pedagogues, who share their experience and knowledge, creating an unparalleled educational experience Academy students are national and international medal winners who matriculate to the nation's top conservatories and universities.