Excelsior Piano Academy is two-week summer program held in Sondershausen, Germany, centered on not only performance, but also pedagogy, and grounded in faith. The academy location allows participants to pursue growth while experiencing the culture and history of a place rich with musical tradition. The academy is open to pianists and teachers of all kinds, from high school pianists, to undergraduate and graduate music students, to community teachers seeking continued growth and inspiration. Participants engage in daily lessons with academy faculty, master classes, morning devotionals, seminars, and pedagogy workshops, enhancing their skills while enjoying the rich musical heritage of the region. The academy also features trips to incredible places which have included Thomaskirche in Leipzig (where Bach worked), Liszt’s home in Weimar, and a concert in Leipzig’s Gewandhaus. Sondershausen itself was visited by Liszt, and contains the home of the academy, the beautiful Thuringer Landesmusikakademie facility, which contains dormitory housing and cafeteria services for academy participants, as well as performance and practice facilities for the day-to-day events and classes. Tuition, lodging, and cafeteria meals are all included in the base program cost of $950 (1-week). A 2-week option is also available.