Nic Patterson Studio

Masterclass intensives

02 / THE MASTERCLASS INTENSIVE

Arrive with your repertoire.
Leave with a performance.

One weekend. Five artists maximum.
Friday evening through Sunday evening.
All ages. Every level. One shared love of the piano.

A welcoming piano weekend at The Chateau, a Private Inland Sanctuary in St. Augustine. Come as you are: beginning, returning, or already performing. Personal coaching, shared music, enjoyable outings and a supported Sunday-night performance help turn your curiosity into a deeper passion.

$5,000 all inclusive
Personal coaching with NicChateau lodging & mealsSunday-night performanceProfessional videographyReleased performance albumJAX airport concierge included
Registered for a confirmed weekend? Pay tuition

Confirm your weekend, accommodation, participant/guardian arrangements and recording plan before paying the $5,000 tuition. No application or registration fee.

Complete your intensive registration ↗
Nic Patterson performing at a grand piano in Carnegie Hall
Nic at Carnegie Hall. Intensive performances take place at the Chateau.

THE ALL-AGES PIANO WEEKEND · FIVE PARTICIPANTS

Serious growth.
A joyful weekend.

Personal goals shape every participant’s work. A beginner may share a first piece; a seasoned pianist may refine a competition program. Everyone has something to offer, and room to grow.

Friday · Settle in & begin

5:00–6:00 pm
Arrival, settle into the Chateau and meet Nic.
6:00–7:00 pm
Welcome dinner, introductions and personal musical goals.
7:00–9:00 pm
Opening masterclass / Hear Your Competition. Share at your comfort level, listen, and choose your weekend focus.
9:00 pm
Wind down and informal conversation.

Saturday · Explore & enjoy

8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast and gentle piano warm-up.
9:00–11:30 am
Five individual coaching rotations, with guided independent practice and breaks.
11:30 am–12:30 pm
Listening lab: sound, rhythm and aural skills at your level.
12:30–1:30 pm
Lunch and rest.
1:30–4:00 pm
St. Augustine outing: a relaxed historic-city walk, conversation and time to enjoy the setting. Route and accessibility arranged with the group.
4:00–5:30 pm
Free time, rest or optional piano practice.
5:30–6:30 pm
Dinner.
7:00–9:00 pm
Evening masterclass / Hear Your Competition: encouragement, interpretation and learning from one another.

Sunday · Bring it together

8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast and a gentle start.
9:00–11:30 am
Individual coaching rotations and final musical decisions.
11:30 am–12:30 pm
Performance confidence, introduction practice and recording preparation.
12:30–1:30 pm
Lunch.
1:30–3:00 pm
Relaxed afternoon fun: garden time, music games, shared listening or an accessible local activity chosen with the group.
3:00–5:00 pm
Rest, sound check and supported performance rehearsal.
5:00–6:00 pm
Early dinner and get ready.
6:30–8:00 pm
Sunday celebration performance, professionally recorded at the Chateau.
8:00–9:00 pm
Encouragement, next steps and departures.

Proposed Eastern-time agenda. Exact activities, accessibility, travel arrangements and coaching rotations are tailored to the registered group and confirmed before tuition payment.

Guidelines for a welcoming, well-prepared weekend
  • All ages and piano levels welcome. No audition required. Five learning participants per weekend.
  • Participants under 18 register through a parent or guardian. Supervision, guardian lodging and any additional guest costs are confirmed before payment.
  • Bring music you love, your scores and a notebook. Beginners can bring a simple piece or describe what they hope to learn.
  • Tell Nic about dietary needs, allergies, mobility/accessibility requirements and preferred learning support in advance.
  • Lodging and meals for the registered participant are part of the $5,000 package. Confirm any guardian/guest arrangements separately.
  • St. Augustine outing transport, venue charges and the final accessible route are confirmed with your written itinerary. JAX airport concierge service is included; share your arrival and departure flight details in advance.
  • Recording participation, publication permissions, album/video delivery and any guardian consent are agreed before recording. You can discuss comfort with being filmed.
  • Cancellation, date-transfer and refund terms are provided with the written registration arrangements before tuition payment.
  • Encouragement is part of the work. Respect one another’s learning, give room for rest, and celebrate each person’s next step.

THE INSTRUMENT. THE OPPORTUNITY. THE WORK.

Practice with purpose.
Prepare to perform.

We practice differently when we know we have an opportunity to perform. Four optional one-hour online Performance Labs each teaching week give advanced students regular opportunities to share their work, listen and refine. Attendance is not required.

All studio lessons and masterclasses are taught on Steinway Model D concert grand pianos. In-person students work at the studio instruments; online students join from their own piano while Nic teaches on a Model D. Familiarity with this concert instrument supports preparation for the competition stage.

Nic represented Steinway & Sons at age 20.

PERSONAL PLACEMENT REVIEW

Begin with your music.

Enroll in private study, register for a weekend, or request Competition Consultation. Private-study placement is reviewed personally. Intensive places are confirmed by successful tuition payment.

Your details are saved for registration. No application or registration fee. Private-study tuition is separate. Competition Consultation: $1,000.

Sibling policy: each additional enrolled sibling receives 10% off the lower-priced standard monthly or semester tuition. Eligibility is confirmed by Nic before payment. Cannot be combined with the 3% early-payment discount. Intensives and one-time consultations are excluded.