Florida has more to offer than beaches and sunshine. If you ever attend the Miami International Piano Festival, the term "Florida Keys" will have an entirely different meaning for you. The keys that will thrill your soul are black and white and played by a gifted musician. Established in 1998, the Miami International Piano Festival has gained worldwide recognition, drawing participants and journalists from all over the world. The Festival features magnificent musicians from England, Poland, Italy, Yugoslavia, Russia, Argentina, Israel and America to name a few.

Held in both the Lincoln Theater in Miami Beach and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, the tropical surroundings make for a tranquil environment perfect for piano music. These two metropolitan centers are proud to join the ranks of other metropolitan art centers throughout the world that host premiere cultural events.

Hotel rooms near the Lincoln Theater in Miami can be booked via Miami Hotels.

The Miami International Piano Festival Heats Up the Sunshine State

The Miami International Piano Festival showcases talented musicians and offers a non-competitive venue, allowing them to gain performance experience and share their enormous gifts. One stellar performance can give a career the boost it needs. For example, the last two Gilmore Award recipients, Ingrid Fliter and Piotr Anderszwski, were selected by the Festival's artistic committee prior to receiving the Gilmore Award which is the highest recognition bestowed upon any pianist. Also, this Festival helps further the artists' careers by placing their performances on the Festival's CDs and DVDs, which have received great reviews. Amazingly, the Italian virtuosi Francesco Libetta and Pietro De Maria have both earned great visibility through these recordings. In fact, their music was the topic of a European Gold Medal award-winning documentary, "The Pianist of the Impossible."

Showcasing the work of children is also a priority of this festival through its program called, "Prodigies & Masters of Tomorrow." Prodigies who have previously performed at the Miami International Piano Festival include: Kit Armstrong, America, age 10 in 2004; Rachel Cheung, China, debuted at 13 in 2005; Eldar Diagirov, 16 in 2004; Karsten Gimre, age 11 in 2005; Peng Peng, age 11 in 2005; Conrad Tao, age 10 in 2005; Eugene Ugorski, age 13 in 2005; Sijing Ye, age 13 in 2008 and Ji Yong, age 10 in 2003. Up until this prodigy program was established, the world had never experienced a musical event focused solely on musical prodigies.

No matter who sits behind the piano, you're sure to enjoy the lovely music. It's a wonderful way to relax and hear talented pianist from all over the world.