The 2016 Clara Wells Fellowships

Fellows to be in residence at the 2016 Matthay Piano Festival at

Pennsylvania State University  
State College/University Park, Pennsylvania
June 1-4, 2016


In 1971, Clara Wells, a devoted student of Tobias Matthay in the 1930s, was memorialized by her husband, the late Samuel Masland, who dedicated funds to the American Matthay Association (after 2002, the American Matthay Associaton became the American Matthay Associaton for Piano, or AMAP) in her name to offer scholarships promoting knowledge of Matthay principles. For many years the Matthay Associaton felt the best use of this bequest lay in providing funds for young pianists to study with teachers trained in Matthay principles via a performance competition. But in 2015, the AMAP Board of Governors decided to offer two Fellowships underwriting residency at the 2016 Matthay Festival, enabling a more intensive exposure to Tobias Matthay and to our organization.

This year's Fellows will receive:

1.    Full tuition to the 2016 AMA Festival at Pennsylvania State University from June 1-4, 2016;
2.    Financial support for expenses, up to $1000 per student;
3.    Mentorship by distinguished AMA members;
4.    Two performance opportunities during the Festival:
                A. Clara Wells Scholars Recital
                B. Performance in the master class conducted this year by Matthay master teacher Donald Hageman
5.    A complimentary copy of the recently published England's Piano Sage: The Life and Teachings of Tobias Matthay (Scarecrow, 2012); 
6.    A complimentary copy of all volumes currently available of the seven-volume APR Record CD series devoted to "The Matthay Pupils."

Competition Description:

1.    Candidates must be between 15 to 30 years of age, as of April 20, 2016.
2.    Two awards of $1000.00 are available for full-time students in two divisions: one High School, and one College (Bachelor through Doctoral levels).
3.    All applicants must submit an unedited video recording (DVD or flash drive accepted) containing two (2) works of contrasting period, style, and tempo. The combined music on the recording must comprise a minimum of 10 minutes.
4.    Applicants will answer three questions related to the reading. (see Reading Requirements at the bottom of this page)
5.    Award winners will be chosen by the Clara Wells Fellowship Committee, a panel of members of the American Matthay Association.
6.    If there are no qualified candidates in one division, two awards may be made in the remaining division at the discretion of the Clara Wells Fellowship Committee.

Application Requirements:

A.    The Application must contain a cover letter containing:

                1. Your name, age, school grade, address, phone and email contacts.
                2. Your length of piano study and names of your teachers.
                3. Your experience: performances, awards and scholarships, etc.
                4. Briefly state why you want to be a Clara Wells Scholar.
                5. The name and contact information for your current teacher.
B.    Performance video (unedited) on DVD or flash drive .
C.    Written answers to the Reading Requirement.
D.    Evidence of age: photocopy of birth certificate or passport.

E.    Application fee: $20 (non-refundable).
F.    Teachers' letters of recommendation must be sent under separate cover by email or USPS.


Deadline for all application materials: April 20, 2016.

1.   Emailed materials must be received by April 20, 2016. Materials sent by USPS must be postmarked no later than April 20, 2016.
2.   Winners will be notified no later than April 30, 2016.


All materials should be addressed to:

Dr. Mary Pendleton-Hoffer
405 E. Hermosa Circle
Tempe, AZ 85282
mcpiano2@aol.com

(Please address all questions to the email address above, and use the subject line "Clara Wells")


For a printable application form, please click here.


The Reading Requirement is from the Fifty-five Daily Maxims" included in the back of The Visible and Invisible in Pianoforte Technique by Tobias Matthay.
In the print edition, these are pages E -53-58, found in the section titled Epitome and Summary.

A downloadable PDF version may be reached here.

Please answer these questions, and include your answers with your application:

                1. What does it mean to "intend" each note?
                2. Why does Matthay say "Arm off!"?
                3. What is your favorite Daily Maxim, and how do you apply it to your piano playing or teaching?


Back to Matthay home page