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The Next Generation of Classical Talent

Founded in 2006, the Music Institute of Chicago Academy is a nationally recognized training center for highly gifted, pre-college pianists and string players.  The Academy provides a comprehensive musical education for students who aspire to be professional musicians. A carefully assembled faculty includes internationally recognized teachers and performers with a passion for developing young talent and an established track record of student achievement.

Program Highlights

The Academy's regular master class schedule features some of the world’s most renowned artists and pedagogues. The entire Academy student body gathers to participate and observe acclaimed musicians share their knowledge, creating an unparalleled educational experience.

Special enrichment classes featuring lectures and discussions by industry leaders provide insight into the music profession, and help students leave the Academy prepared for careers as soloists, chamber musicians, orchestra members and teachers.

Many Music Institute of Chicago Academy students are national prize winners and matriculate to the nation’s top conservatories and universities every year.

With the ultimate goal of creating musicians for the 21st century, the Music Institute of Chicago Academy provides gifted young musicians tools, knowledge, and inspiration to be the leaders in classical music performance and education.

For more information regarding the Academy curriculum, auditions, scholarships, or general questions regarding tuition, installment plans, housing, and school options, please contact:

Sue Polutnik
Academy Executive Director
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Music Institute of Chicago

622 Davis Street, 4th Fl
Evanston, IL 60201
847.448.8311

I've always enjoyed my visits at the Music Institute of Chicago: the work ethic, intensity, and passion are palpable, and the students' motivation and openness are truly impressive. In short, an inspiring place!

Pamela Frank
Celebrated Violinist

Artist Advisory Council

The Artist Advisory Council endorses the mission and quality of the Academy program and provides occasional advice and counsel.

  • Richard Aaron – cellist
  • Calidore String Quartet
  • Heidi Castleman – violist
  • Robert Chen – Chicago Symphony Orchestra concertmaster
  • John Corigliano – composer
  • Roberto Diaz – president of Curtis Institute of Music
  • David Finckel – Co-artistic Director, Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society
  • Wu Han – Co-artistic Director, Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society
  • Yehoved Kaplinsky – pianist, Director of Juilliard Pre-College
  • Sel Kardan – president of Colburn Conservatory
  • Ani Kavafian – violinist, professor at Yale University
  • Laurence Lesser – cellist, former President of New England Conservatory
  • Robert Lipsett – professor of Violin at Colburn Conservatory
  • Robert McDonald – pianist, professor at Juilliard and Curtis
  • Midori – violinist
  • Jorge Federico Osorio – pianist, professor at Roosevelt University
  • Pacifica String Quartet
  • Rachel Barton Pine – violinist

Conservatories & Colleges Attended by Graduates

  • Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
  • Cleveland Institute for Music, Cleveland, OH
  • Colburn School, Los Angeles, CA
  • Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, PA
  • Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY
  • Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
  • Juilliard School, New York, NY
  • University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, Ann Arbor, MI
  • New England Conservatory, Boston, MA
  • Oberlin Conservatory, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
  • Shepherd School of Music, Rice University, Houston, TX

Academy Faculty & Staff

Claire Aebersold Neiweem

Piano Faculty, Aebersold & Neiweem Piano Duo in Residence

Ralph Neiweem

Piano Faculty, Aebersold & Neiweem Duo Piano in Residence

Leadership

Sue Polutnik

Academy Executive Director
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jim Setapen

Conductor-in-Residence and Artistic Director of The Academy
Artistic Director of The Academy

Chamber Music

Dr. Mark George

Chamber Music Faculty (Academy)
President and CEO

Claudia Lasareff-Mironoff

Academy Chamber Music Faculty

Sang Mee Lee

String Department Chair; Violin Faculty; Chamber Music Faculty

Dr. Soo Young Lee

Piano & Chamber Music Faculty

Dr. Sarah Plum

Violin, Viola, Chamber Music, Academy Faculty

Rodolfo Vieira

Academy Chamber Music Faculty

Paul Zafer

Viola Faculty and Chamber Music Faculty

Music Theory

Debbie Masloski

Academy Music Theory Faculty

Piano

Dr. Sung Hoon Mo

Piano and Musicianship Faculty
Site Coordinator, Downers Grove

Marta Aznavoorian

Piano Faculty; Artist-in-Residence

Dr. Winston Choi

Piano Faculty

Milana Pavchinskaya

Piano Faculty

General

Horacio Contreras

Cello Faculty (Academy and Community Music School)

Dr. Cloudia (Ching-Yun) Huang

Cello Faculty (Suzuki)

Jasmine Lin

Violin Faculty

Almita Vamos

Violin Faculty

Academy Events

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Thursday, December 7, 2023

No events today.