Academy Student Spotlight: Salvador Stein
January 22nd, 2026
Sixteen-year-old violinist Salvador Stein was inspired by his mother’s early connection to music and first encountered the violin in kindergarten music class in Singapore. That early experience sparked a lifelong connection to music, and he has now been playing the violin for 12 years.
Today, Salvador is finishing his first year in the Academy at the Music Institute of Chicago as a Scholarship Fellow, where he studies with violin faculty member Almita Vamos. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he travels regularly to attend the program and remains motivated by the opportunity to observe, collaborate with, and learn from professional musicians.
“I chose to study at the Academy because of its rigorous training and exceptionally inspiring faculty,” he explains. He adds that the community is what makes the experience especially meaningful, describing it as “a group of like-minded individuals and performance opportunities to continuously challenge me to become a better musician.”
Salvador says the program has already played an important role in his development. “I have already gained essential skills in networking, public speaking, orchestral performance, and chamber music,” he explains. The experience has also helped him discover “a growing passion for both teaching and performing.”
Studying music has shaped Salvador in ways that extend beyond performance. “Studying music has taught me valuable skills beyond performance,” he says, including “effective time management, healthy communication and negotiation skills with peers, and greater efficiency and discipline in all aspects of my life.”
One of the most rewarding parts of taking music lessons has been the relationships he has built with his teachers. “A good teacher does more than correct my technique,” he says. “They help me recognize my potential and spark the curiosity that keeps me learning.” He also values hearing about their experiences, noting “Sometimes they are funny and sometimes they are valuable life lessons.”
Over the course of his studies, Salvador has built a wide range of performance and leadership experiences. He currently serves as Concertmaster of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Senior Symphony and has performed with the ensemble in notable venues across Europe. He has also served as concertmaster in a Side-by-Side performance with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and has been a competitor in national competitions including the Fischoff Competition, the Sphinx Competition, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Stars of Tomorrow.
One of Salvador’s proudest and most meaningful musical experiences has been serving as an Ambassador for the Violins of Hope residency in Milwaukee. Through this role, he performed on instruments restored from the Holocaust and served as the premiering soloist for the residency’s grand opening.“I have had the privilege of performing on these instruments and sharing their stories with audiences, as well as participating in panel discussions about the project and the Holocaust,” he says.
Community engagement is an important part of Salvador’s musical life. He performs regularly with Colin and Friends, a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting free and accessible concerts and educational programs, and is a recipient of the Civic Music Milwaukee Scholarship. His performances have also been featured on Wisconsin Public Radio.
He is currently working on a special project to set up a nonprofit that brings music to those who otherwise could not access it easily as well as working with researchers on how music can help those in the hospital setting.
Outside of music, Salvador enjoys spending time with friends and family. He enjoys playing tennis and ping pong and loves to travel, keeping a list of places he hopes to visit. When he is not practicing, he is often watching movies with friends, trying new restaurants, or returning to favorite spots with family.
Through both performance and outreach, Salvador continues to explore how music can connect people, preserve history, and serve the broader community.