The Nation’s Gold Standard Conservatory for Pre-collegiate Musicians
Founded in 2006, the Music Institute of Chicago Academy is a nationally recognized pre-conservatory for advanced pianists and string players in high school. The Academy provides a comprehensive musical education for students who aspire to be professional musicians. With the ultimate goal of creating musicians for the 21st century, the Academy provides gifted young musicians with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to be leaders in classical music performance and education.
We are proud of our remarkable track record of shaping students into successful ambassadors for music as they make their way into the world as solo artists, chamber musicians, orchestra members, and educators.
Interested in applying to the academy?
Auditions are open on AUGUST 18, 19, or 20. Start your journey now!
Please contact Sue Polutnik for information regarding auditions, curriculum, or general questions.
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 to The Academy 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!
Academy Faculty & Staff
The Music Institute of Chicago is proud of its distinguished faculty members who offer students instruction equal to that anywhere in the world.
Leadership
Violin
Viola
Cello
Piano
Chamber Music Coaches
Music Theory
Piano Group Classes
Affiliated Faculty
Violin - Dmitri Berlinsky, Grigory Kalinovsky
Cello - Richard Aaron, Hans Jorgen Jensen, Cornelia Watkins
Piano - Christopher Guzman
Conservatories & Colleges Attended by Graduates
After working with our esteemed artist faculty, Academy students regularly attend the following Conservatories & Colleges.
- 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
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
Academy Events
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Saturday, July 12, 2025
No events today.