2026 Chicago Youth in Music Festival - CSO Master Class Series

CSO Master Classes

The Chicago Youth in Music Festival is an annual celebration of young people who are passionate about symphony orchestras. The 2026 Festival takes place throughout April at Symphony Center and across the city of Chicago.

To engage Chicago’s most advanced young musicians, the NMI will present a series of masterclasses led by CSO musicians for students from the Merit School of Music, Music Institute of Chicago, Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative and The People’s Music School. These masterclasses will be hosted at each partner’s site across the city throughout the month of April.

2026 CYMF CSO MUSICIANS Masterclass Faculty

Wednesday, April 1st 6-8pm (at the Merit School)
Teng Li, viola
Academy violist Neena Agrawal, student of Sang Mee Lee

Wednesday, April 8th 5:30-7:30pm
(at The People’s Music School)
John Hagstrom, trumpet

Monday, April 13th 6-8pm (at MIC Nichols Concert Hall)
Olivia Huh, cello
Academy cellists Roy Wu, student of Hans Jensen and Lavie Huang, student of Avi Friedlander

Tuesday, April 28th 6-8pm (at Symphony Center)
Robert Chen, violin  
Academy student Paloma Furst Chavira, student of Almita Vamos