Academy Summer Highlights 2025

Even in the summer, Academy students stay dedicated to their craft. They’re making the most of the season attending remarkable festivals, concerts, master classes, and camps across the US, and abroad. See where music is taking them this season!:

Neena Agrawal, viola 
Music at Menlo, Smith Family Young Performers Program (Fellowship Program) 
Atherton, California (July 18 - August 9)  
A program for enthusiastic string and piano students from age 12 to 19. Students are immersed in a rigorous, nurturing environment where they do an intense exploration of chamber music repertoire under the tutelage of high-level music professionals.  

Center Stage Strings, Accelerated Chamber Music Program, full scholarship (Chipman Scholarship)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (June 15 - July 12) 
Center Stage is all about developing young artists' technical mastery and interpretive abilities. It is deeply focused on the individual. Accepted students receive a unique summer experience centered around solo and chamber music. Open to extraordinary students aged 12-24 years old.  

Emily Chen, violin 
Cleveland Institute of Music's Chamber Music Intensive Program 
Cleveland, Ohio (June 20 - 28)  
A weeklong seminar offering high school, college, and pre-professional string players and pre-formed groups to hone their skills in the art of chamber music. The program is run by CIM faculty members Todd Phillips and Si-Yan Darren Li and offers chamber coachings, master classes, and performance opportunities. 

Morningside Music Bridge Program at New England Conservatory  
Boston, Massachusetts (July 6-August 1)  
An international scholarship program for gifted 12-18 year olds. Participants engage in a month of intensive training and performances, learning from a world-class faculty. 
 

Alexandra Dreesen, violin 
Sounding Point Academy  
The Colburn School, Los Angeles, California (June 2 –14)   
This two-week program gives violists of all ages opportunities to perform for the world’s leading performing artists, master the intricacies of orchestral excerpts, and gain comprehensive knowledge of the technical aspects of violin performance. 
 
Northwestern Violin Institute  
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois (June 16 - 21)  
An intensive one-week program in which participants work with renowned violin faculty in a master class setting. Students work to develop strong technical ability, advanced musical skills, thorough knowledge of repertoire, and healthy practice habits.  

 Vivace International Music Festival   
Wilmington, North Carolina (July 30 - August 10)  
This festival provides serious young musicians with performance opportunities and training with world class faculty. Students participate in master classes and get individual instruction from several faculty members.  

Katarina Kenney, cello 
Yellow Barn Young Artists Program 
Putney, Vermont (June 15 - July 4) 
A three-week program for outstanding musicians from ages 13-20 to rehearse and perform a rich array of chamber music. Students perform established chamber works, works by Young Artists Program composers, and the works of the Yellow Barn composer in residence.  

Domaine Forget de Charlevoix International Music and Dance Academy 
Québec, Canada (July 13 - August 9)  
Music and dance students from all over the world gather for this four-week program. There are many program areas to choose from, including solo instruments, orchestra, and chamber ensembles. Each student receives private lessons, master classes, and performance opportunities at the DFC Concert Hall. 
 

Lauren Kim, violin 
Yellow Barn Young Artists Program 
Putney, Vermont (June 15 - July 4) 
A three-week program for outstanding musicians from ages 13-20 to rehearse and perform a rich array of chamber music. Students perform established chamber works, works by Young Artists Program composers, and the works of the Yellow Barn composer in residence.  

Matthew Kim, violin 
Sounding Point Academy    
The Colburn School, Los Angeles, California (June 2 –14)   
This two-week program gives violists of all ages opportunities to perform for the world’s leading performing artists, master the intricacies of orchestral excerpts, and gain comprehensive knowledge of the technical aspects of violin performance. 
 
Center Stage Strings  
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (June 15 - July 12) 
Center Stage is all about developing young artists' technical mastery and interpretive abilities. It is deeply focused on the individual. Accepted students receive a unique summer experience centered around solo and chamber music. Open to extraordinary students aged 12-24 years old.   

Noah Kim, piano 
Vivace International Music Festival  
Wilmington, North Carolina (July 30 - August 10)  
This festival provides serious young musicians with performance opportunities and training with world class faculty. Students participate in master classes and get individual instruction from several faculty members.  

Sebastian Manning, violin 
SoNoRo Musikland Chamber Music Festival 
Transylvania, Romania (July 4) 
Touring Transylvania, playing chamber music with artists such as Kristof Barati, Ioana Cristina Goicea, Alexandra Tirsu, Razvan Popovici, Diana Ketler, and others.  

Festival Academy Budapest 
Budapest (July 16 - 28) 
Master classes with Alissa Margulis, Boris Brovtsyn, Barnabas Kelemen and Tatiana Samouil for two weeks.
 
Accordi Musicali Violin Competition 
Pescara, Italy (August 1 - 3) 
The Competition consists of two rounds: a first round, held over two days in recital format, and a final round at Teatro Marrucino, also presented as a recital. The audition in the first round lasts a maximum of 20 minutes, and the final round lasts a maximum of 35 minutes. All rounds are open to the public. https://accordiacademy.com/competitions/violin/ 
 

Magdalena Masur, violin 
Encore Chamber Music Institute Summer Academy 
Cleveland, Ohio (June 1 - 23)  
A three-week program for pre-formed string quartets, solo violinists, solo violists, and solo cellists. 76 students between the ages of 13 to 26 are invited to participate. This program is recommended for young artists who are preparing for competitions, college auditions, and concerts, as well as pre-professionals who want to work intensively, improve artistic and technical skills, and perform in a variety of settings.  
 
Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Young Artists Orchestra 
Boston, Massachusetts (July 6 - August 7)  
One of the premiere youth orchestra training programs, the Young Artists Orchestra program offers high quality training through intensive study and performance of orchestral and chamber music, private lessons, and master classes. Students get to study with professional conductors, artist teachers, and members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  
 
 

Edie Park, piano 
Masterclass with Steven Osborne, piano, at Grant Park Music Festival  
Chicago (July 29, 4pm)  
Steven Osborne OBE is one of Britain’s most treasured musicians with an immense depth of musicality and exceptional refinement of expression across diverse repertoire be it in Beethoven or Messiaen, Schubert or Ravel, Prokofiev or jazz improvisations. 
 
Chicago International Music Festival  
Roosevelt University, Chicago (July 16 - 24) 
Produced by World Projects, this festival brings groups from across the country to Chicago for workshops, social events, and concerts. The festival culminates with a concert on the Armour Stage at the Chicago Symphony Center.  
 
Bay PianoFest  
San Francisco, California (August 4 -13) 
This 10-day program brings exceptional pianists over the age of 12 together to participate master classes, workshops, lectures, and to perform in concerts at the San Francisco Conservatory.  
 
The Concord Review History Camp
Boston (June 23-July 4 ) 
The Concord Review (TCR) History Camps are intensive online and in-person workshops in which secondary-school students learn and practice a toolbox of skills for researching and writing history.

Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. (coin dealership) 
Internship 
The original location was in Joliet, IL and sold ancient coins and small antiquities mainly through mail order. In 1989, a rare opportunity presented itself when Harlan was offered the historic coin location on 31 N. Clark Street in the heart of the financial district. Harlan J. Berk Ltd. employs experts in all areas ranging from ancient, U.S. and world coins, paper money, antiquities, antique maps and paintings.  

Linda Phan, violin 
Ascent International Music Festival 
Cincinnati, Ohio (June 22 - July 12)  
For outstanding chamber musicians ages 14-30 to study and perform in an intensive setting. Ascent goes beyond the practice room to develop the musician as a whole. The festival takes place on the campus of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. 
 
Travel to Vietnam - to organize and perform in a fundraising concert in August. 
 

Sylvia Pine, violin 
Sylvia will be enjoying a variety of activities this summer, focusing on composing, modern violin, baroque violin, medieval vielle and singing, teaching classical improvisation, and Scottish fiddling and tune writing.  

Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute
Oberlin, Ohio (June 15 - 19) 
This workshop focuses on baroque instruments and voice. Students perform on period instruments, learn from faculty and resident artists in master classes, recitals, and perform in student concerts.  
 
Cleveland Institute of Music Young Composers Program
Cleveland, Ohio (June 22 - 27) 
This 5-day program welcomes young and emerging composers at different stages of their learning to refine their artistry, expand their musical vision, and engage in a collaborative environment.  
 
The Strathgheny School of Scottish Fiddling at Westminster College 
New Wilmington, Pennsylvania (July 6 - 12) 
This week-long program focuses on the playing and interpreting of traditional Scottish fiddle tunes. Participants attend workshops and lectures while exploring the lovely campus and surrounding area of the Westminster College campus.  
 
Girls Rock! Chicago 
Suder Montessori Elementary School, Chicago (July 14 – July 20) 
Five days of instrument instruction and band practice, and recording followed by a performance at a local venue. Sylvia will be playing her 6-string electric violin, singing, and writing an original rock song. 

OPUS Chamber Music Camp 
Naperville, Illinois (July 27 - August 2) 
This program features master classes, workshops, chamber performances, and orchestral performances on the campus of North Central College.  
 
Advanced Creative Ability Development Teacher Training 
Rochester, New York (August 4 - 8)
CAD is a method which uses improvisation as a tool to develop the creative part of the brain. 

Medieval Music Week at Seattle Historical Arts for Kids, WA 
Seattle, Washington (August 18 - 24) 
This summer workshop and performance outing lets its participants bring history to life by performing in real period costumes. After a 5-day learning workshop, students perform for the public at the Camlann Medieval Village. 

Annalise Song, violin  
Ascent International Music Festival  
Cincinnati, Ohio (June 22 - July 12)  
For outstanding chamber musicians ages 14-30 to study and perform in an intensive setting. Ascent goes beyond the practice room to develop the musician as a whole. The festival takes place on the campus of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. 
 
Addicott Summer Chamber Music Festival  
South Bend, Indiana (July 17-27) 
This festival welcomes 12 participants for a 10-day immersive experience. Students will be coached by members of the Euclid Quartet as well as esteemed guest artists, the Dover Quartet and Calidore String Quartet. All admitted students receive a full tuition scholarship including room and board.  

Lily Sullivan, violin  
Heifetz Summer Institute String Scholar  
Mary Baldwin University – Staunton, Virginia (June 20 – August 3)  
The Heifetz summer program is an immersive, intensive, and often transformative musical experience for our students, built upon the Institute’s decades-long record of leadership and innovation in high-level musical instruction, Performance and Communication Training, practice analytics, personal coaching and mentoring, and industry-leading multimedia production. 

Simon Updegraff, cello 
Center Stage Strings    
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (June 15 - July 12) 
Center Stage is all about developing young artists' technical mastery and interpretive abilities. It is deeply focused on the individual. Accepted students receive a unique summer experience centered around solo and chamber music. Open to extraordinary students aged 12-24 years old.   
 
 

Vivian Van de Sype Cucu, viola 
Family travel to Miami, Japan, and Belgium 

Sasha Varchenko, violin 
Juventus Pro Musica Festival 
New York, New York (May 31 - June 3)  
This program provides chamber music performance opportunities to aspiring string and piano students. Students perform in chamber groups with professionals in concerts at venues throughout New York City.  
   
Vivace International Festival  
Wilmington, North Carolina (July 30 - August 10)  
This festival provides serious young musicians with performance opportunities and training with world class faculty. Students participate in master classes and get individual instruction from several faculty members.  

Jan Vargas Nedvetsky, cello  
West Suburban Orchestra Solo Performance of the Dvorak Concerto 
Wentz Hall, Naperville (June 22)  
 
Meadowmount School of Music 
Westport, NY (June) 
For more than 80 years, Meadowmount has been America’s most respected summer home for rising generations of cellists, violinists, and violists.  
 
Masterclass program with Professor Jens Peter Maintz in Festival Ljubljana, Slovenia  
(August) 
The Ljubljana Festival on the Ljubljanica continues this tradition and offers a unique musical experience that combines rich cultural history with the city’s vibrant summer atmosphere.  
 

Romeo Vashishth, violin 
Sounding Point Academy  
The Colburn School, Los Angeles, California (June 2 –14)   
This two-week program gives violists of all ages opportunities to perform for the world’s leading performing artists, master the intricacies of orchestral excerpts, and gain comprehensive knowledge of the technical aspects of violin performance.  
 
Montecito International Music Festival 
Thousand Oaks, California (June 26 - July 5)  
This program offers a combination of private instruction, master class opportunities, and performances over the 10-day festival. Students participate in solo recitals and chamber ensembles and study under world renowned faculty.   
 
Aspen Music Festival 
Aspen, Colorado (July 2 - 24)  
The Aspen Music Festival is regarded as one of the top classical music festivals in the United States, noted for its musical training of young-adult music students. The eight-week festival includes hundreds of classical music events, including concerts by four orchestras, recitals, chamber music, operas, classes, lectures, and family programs.  
 

Brayden Wu, viola 
Ascent International Viola Festival 
Hudson, Ohio (June 15 - 21)   
In its inaugural season, this festival is an opportunity for outstanding violists age 13-30 to study and perform in an intensive setting. Participants take private lessons, learn in a master class setting, and perform on the campus of Western Reserve Academy.  

Brayden will also be visiting Midwest colleges over the summer and doing an internship at a local engineering firm. 

Lucy Wu, cello 
National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) Summer Program 
(July 5 - August 7)  
Gifted students from across the United States are selected to form the National Youth Orchestra of the United States. After a multi-week training residency with professional orchestra musicians, students embark on a tour of the great music capitals of the world. This year, the ensemble will be touring Asia, including the NYO-USA debut in Japan.  
 
 

Tristan Zhu, violin 
Yellow Barn Young Artist Program 
Putney, Vermont (June 15 - July 4) 
A three-week program for outstanding musicians from ages 13-20 to rehearse and perform a rich array of chamber music. Students perform established chamber works, works by Young Artists Program composers, and the works of the Yellow Barn composer in residence. 

Travel to Japan and Indonesia