The Taylor Academy

APPLICATIONS CLOSED FOR THE 2024–25 SCHOOL YEAR

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists is a comprehensive performance program committed to developing performance skills, musicianship, and excellence in talented classical music students who wish to seriously follow and develop their musical gifts. After a competitive audition, students who are accepted will be registered for courses suitable to their individual programs.

• Junior Academy (ages 13 and below) welcomes applicants in the disciplines of Strings and Piano.
• Senior Academy (ages 14 and above) welcomes applicants in the disciplines of Strings, Piano, Voice, Woodwinds, and Guitar.
• Prospective applicants in other disciplines should contact the Academy at academy@rcmusic.ca to discuss a possible application.

Application Fees & Deadlines
All prospective students are required to submit a non-refundable application fee with their application forms:

• Submitted between January 23–February 29: $150
• Submitted between March 1–April 1: $200
• Late applications will be accepted April 2–12 with a $50 late fee ($250 total)
• Applications after April 12 may be accepted at the discretion of the administration, and are subject to an additional charge.

AUDITIONS

Acceptance to The Taylor Academy is very competitive: jurors look for outstanding musical talent and an exceptional level of technical proficiency for an applicant’s age group, as well as a strong commitment to learn and excel. The Taylor Academy does not designate specific prerequisites in terms of RCM practical grade levels; applicants should choose repertoire that best reflects their skill and areas of strength.

Interested students are encouraged to view Academy performances and master classes to better assess the level of proficiency of Academy students. Our Master Class & Performances webpage is updated with current public information. When events are not available to the public, or for those based far from the Toronto area, we encourage applicants to view videos on our YouTube page and/or note Academy participants in local competitions.

General Audition Information
For audition repertoire requirements, see the Repertoire section of our Audition webpage.

Auditions will be held from May 6–10, 2024. Auditions will be held live in Toronto at the RCM. Exact dates and times will be directly communicated to the applicant approximately one month before the scheduled audition.  Following are guidelines for live auditions—any necessary adjusted parameters will be communicated as we announce audition schedules.

• Applicants must state any time or date conflicts in application. Schedule accommodation is not guaranteed.
• Accompanists are encouraged but not required.  Applicants are responsible for bringing an accompanist, one will not be supplied for them.
• Applicants should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled audition time. A warm-up room will be provided 20 minutes before the audition.
• Audition time slots are 15 minutes (20 for Senior Piano); total audition repertoire may be longer than 15 minutes in duration, however jury panelists may request to stop performances at any time.
• Applicants must supply a copy of the music for the jury panel.
• Applicants must have audition pieces memorized, except for instrumental duos that are considered to be chamber works.
• Parents/guardians and teachers are not allowed to accompany applicants into the audition room, but should stay nearby should they be called in.

• Video does not need to be professionally recorded, however sound and picture quality should be clear and steady. Jurors reserve the right to refuse poor quality videos.
• The video must provide a clear view of the student’s hands, keyboard, and face (profile okay).
• Pianists should perform repertoire per the requirements listed in the Repertoire section of our Audition webpage. Repertoire for the in-person audition can (but is not required to) be the same as the video audition repertoire.

PROGRAM COST AND FINANCIAL AID

The Royal Conservatory is an independent, not-for-profit institution. Academy fees are not subsidized by any level of government, however, through the generous support of many private individuals and foundations, financial support is offered to all students accepted into The Taylor Academy in the form of scholarships and additional financial aid, thus significantly reducing the actual program cost of $15,000.

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.