Music Academy

2023 SUMMER SCHOOL & FESTIVAL       JUNE 12 - AUGUST 5, 2023

2023 Application Season NOW CLOSED 

PROGRAMS OF STUDY & ENROLLMENT POSITIONS:

• Instrumental (95 fellows) 
• Solo Piano (6 fellows)  
• Collaborative Piano (9 fellows)  
• Lehrer Vocal Institute
  
  • Voice (20 fellows + 9 studio artists) 
  • Vocal Piano (5 fellows + 1 studio artist)
  • Directing Fellow (1 fellow) 

AGE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Minimum age for enrollment: 18
• Maximum age for enrollment: 34 (27 for strings players)

FULL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IN SANTA BARBARA, CA

Ready for a life-changing summer?

The Music Academy is among the world's top summer programs for extraordinary classically-trained musicians ages 18-34, preparing them for a 21st century career and developing artists of impact. At its ocean-side campus in Santa Barbara, the Academy provides the opportunity for world-class training, individualized instruction, collaborative music making, and frequent performances under the guidance of more than 50 internationally renowned teaching artists and guest conductors. Enrolled fellows enjoy dynamic opportunities to support both the on and off-stage experience, developing tools they need to become not just great musicians, but great leaders, realizing their potential for far-reaching impact. All just steps from the beach.

In addition, fellows have the chance to compete for cash prizes and a recital the following year, and enjoy personal growth through dynamic wellness and outreach programs. Through the Academy's Innovation Institute, fellows participate in entrepreneurship and career development seminars, plus a Shark Tank style competition with cash awards for creative ideas that impact the classical music industry and beyond.

140 musicians are selected from a worldwide applicant pool to enroll as fellows in our eight-week Summer School & Festival.

NEW: up to ten Lehrer Vocal Institute Studio Artists (up to nine singers and one vocal pianist) are invited for a three-week intensive opera chorus residency Weeks 3-5 (June 25-July 17). Studio artists participate in the opera chorus, a curated public performance just for studio artists, lessons, weekly coachings and studio classes. Studio artists are selected during the Vocal Institute audition process.

All enrolled fellows attend on full-scholarship: FREE tuition, accommodations, and meals.

CORE CURRICULUM PLUS TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES:

• Weekly private lessons
• Weekly public masterclasses and/or studio classes
• Orchestra
• Chamber Music
• Solo Recitals
• String Quartet Seminar led by the Takacs Quartet
• String Leadership Program led by Glenn Dicterow
• Fully-staged opera: 2023 production of La bohème
• Lehrer Vocal Institute semi-staged Creative Project plus Latin Song production
• Performance Competitions including $5,000 cash prize and recital for winners:
  • Marilyn Horne Song Competition for Voice and Vocal Piano Fellows
  • Duo Competition for Instrumental and Collaborative Piano Fellows 
  • Solo Piano Competition
• London Symphony Orchestra Partnership / "Keston MAX Competition awarding a week-long residency with the LSO
• Wellness Program including health, counseling, and performance medicine resources
• Community engagement - Music Academy fellows and audiences socialize throughout the summer via the "Compeer Program"
• Innovation Institute
  • Entrepreneurship and career development seminars with industry leaders
  • "Fast Pitch" Competition: Fellows pitch ideas (Shark Tank Style) that propel classical music boldly forward compete for cash prizes
  • Alumni Enterprise Awards: alumni present trailblazing endeavors in classical music and beyond; winners receive up to $20,000 per grant

The Music Academy Summer Festival is a highlight of the Southern California arts community, presenting 150 public events over eight weeks, and attended by nearly 40,000 audience members. The Music Academy proudly welcomes everyone from across all cultures and backgrounds to experience the transformative power of music.

AGE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Minimum age for enrollment: 18
• Maximum age for enrollment: 34 (27 for strings players)

APPLICATION DEADLINES: all deadlines at 11:59 PM Pacific

• Lehrer Vocal Institute: November 1, 2022 (Application Season Closed)
• Collaborative Piano Program: January 5, 2023 (Application Season Closed)
• Instrumental Program: February 1, 2023 (Application Season Closed)
• Solo Piano Program: February 1, 2023 (Application Season Closed)

AUDITION PROCESS:

• Lehrer Vocal Institute: Pre-screening Recording Round followed by Invitation-Only Live + Virtual Final Round 
• Solo Piano: Video Upload auditions
• Instrumental: Video Upload auditions
• Collaborative Piano: Live and Virtual auditions 

APPLICATION & AUDITION REPERTOIRE:
Select your program/studio in the application menu to the left to view audition repertoire and begin your application.

Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable)
Application fee assistance available for those with financial hardship. Contact admissions@musicacademy.org

HEALTH & SAFETY: Music Academy requires all administration, faculty, fellows, and other constituents on campus to provide proof of COVID vaccination.

To receive email announcements regarding the 2023 Summer Festival GET ON THE LIST !

For more information, email admissions@musicacademy.org or visit musicacademy.org/admissions

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.