DR. CAIO PAGANO, who holds a Doctor of Music from The Catholic University of America, and currently serves as Regents' Professor of Piano at Arizona State University, has spent a lifetime communicating the breadth of his knowledge to younger pianists. His classes are always dynamic and inspirational, and his myriad students have won distinction for themselves throughout the world.

Click on the image below to hear an excerpt from one of Dr. Pagano's classes

Click on the image below to hear some of Dr. Pagano's outstanding ASU students perform Mozart

Click on the image below to hear Dr. Pagano's distinguished student QING JIANG in recital. Qing Jiang is now a professor at Bucknell University.

In 2000, DR. CAIO PAGANO and REGINALD COUCH, with the sponsorship of the Arizona Community Foundation, created THE AVANTI FUND to assist the careers of promising young pianists. Since that time the Fund has been sponsored and assisted by generous philanthropists such as Dil' Dilatush and Kax Herberger. In 2013, Avanti was officially designated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and we continue to assist piano students in the pursuit of their dreams and musical careers.

Avanti offers a variety of master classes, summer camps, educational funding, seminars, and every spring the Avanti/Steinway Piano Competition for pianists aged 10 through 18. The 2025 Competition will occur on Saturday, March 8 at Arizona State University and additional events will occur throughout the week. Please click on the image at right for full details. Avanti also expresses its appreciation to Steinway & Sons of Scottsdale (pictured at upper left) for its continued support, and throughout the year, the Fund also sponsors Evenings with Art & Music and other cultural events throughout the Phoenix area.