TAMPA, Fla. — Rebecca Penneys is on stage, rehearsing a tune on piano for weekend celebrations during the three-week Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival at the University of South Florida.

What You Need To Know

  • More than 200 pianists will attend festival

  • It takes place on Saturday, July 15 at 7 p.m.

  • It will be  held at the USF School of Music in Barness Hall

  • Donations accepted for future scholarships

This is the moment before fingers hit the keys. It’s the smallest of pauses, and she begins.

Penneys has been playing piano since she was 2 ½-years-old. Her professional debut was at 9 years old.

“The piano is just so gorgeous,” the now adult Penneys said, as she played.

Her summer festival attracts pianists from the world over.

“We had over 200 applicants for 40 spots, and they are from 22 different countries,” said Penneys.|

Penneys isn’t at the piano alone. In fact, there is even more than one piano on stage.

What’s happening is a two-piano, four-people, eight-hand, 40-finger ivory-tickling fun fest. They’re playing the song Champagne Toccata by composer William Gillock.

The festival is a donor-funded program for students to get intensive training with professional musicians and instructors, all for free.

“It’s a legacy project for me,” said Penneys. “And I just love helping all these young people and professionals.”

Penneys holds multiple artistic posts, is an Artist-in-Residence at St. Petersburg College and holds a courtesy position as Steinway-Artist-in-Residence at USF.

The audience is invited to give a little bit.

“Music is such a powerful communicator for us all. And these young people are the future,” said Penneys.

Six decades into her art life, four decades teaching piano to college students and this is her sort-of retirement.

“Music is a special language,” said Penneys. “And if we had more music we’d have more peace, we’d have more love, and it would be a better world. And that’s what we are all doing here.”