Summer is an exciting time for musicians—young and experienced alike—to deepen their skills, explore new repertoire, and connect with others who share their passion.

The summer music programs in the Guide run the gamut, from requiring an audition for acceptance to an open-door policy, from extra-curricular activities (tennis, anyone?) to non-stop daily practice in an isolated cabin the woods, and to ages four to senior. The one constant for attendance is a core of artistry, whether it’s been honed to near perfection, left to fallow over the years, or just at the early stages of development (cue the four-year-olds).

We always look forward to producing this Guide because it makes us think of the warm summer days ahead.

Cover photo courtesy of CAMMAC Music Centre, Harrington, QC, Canada

Download the Guide ⤊ or scroll down ⤋ to view information for each program

The Bowdoin International Music Festival is one of the world's premier music institutes. The Festival engages exceptional students and enthusiastic audiences through world-class education and performances. 275 students attend the Festival to study with distinguished artists. Three- and six-week programs in instrumental, fellowship, string quartet, collaborative piano, and composition.

Each year, Juilliard hosts a weeklong seminar to foster the artistic growth of pre-formed, pre-professional string quartets. Through intensive coaching and mentoring with members of the Juilliard String Quartet, as well as interaction with other participating quartets, students are able to refine their artistry in a stimulating artistic environment.

Juilliard Summer Music is a three-week conservatory program for high-school instrumentalists, composers, and vocalists. Participants study with Juilliard faculty, alumni, and guest artists, through lessons, master classes, chamber music, orchestra, and frequent performance opportunities on our renowned Lincoln Center campus in New York City.

This biennial symposium is dedicated to fostering the legacy of the late renowned teacher Dorothy DeLay. Featuring a distinguished roster of faculty, the symposium presents recitals, master classes, and workshops designed to refine pedagogical skills through a holistic approach that considers social, psychological, and other factors shaping a student's development.

MSM's summer program for young musicians ages 8 to 17 is designed to develop their talents, build friendships, and have fun! MSM Summer provides instruction and performance experience for students in a dynamic conservatory setting. Students will develop their musical skills and join a vibrant community of young musicians.

More than 100 musical events and career-advancing opportunities, including recitals, master classes, orchestra, chamber music, and opera. Private weekly lessons, inspiring daily training, off and on-stage mentorship, wellness program, community outreach, and competition with cash prize.

The Intensive is transformative for students considering a career in music and/or seeking to advance their artistry. Over two immersive weeks, participants study with the Academy’s renowned teaching artists, receive lessons, perform orchestra and chamber music, build a network of peers and teachers, and enjoy beautiful Santa Barbara.

Rushmore Music Festival offers three programs for advanced strings and piano students: Young Artist Fellowship program (ages 13-18); Emerging Artists Ensemble-in-Residence program (ages 19-23); and Collaborative Piano Fellowship (ages 23-28). We invite students seeking a challenging, immersive musical experience, focused on cultivating unique artistic voices through solo and chamber music.

From week-long day camps to multi-week residencies, our summer programs offer students of all ages the opportunity to live, work, and play with our world-class faculty, along with renowned guest artists, all at the state-of-the-art CCM Village on the campus of the University of Cincinnati.

ASMI is hosted by some of the most prestigious conservatories in Italy and invites world-renowned teaching artists such as: Rudolf Koelman, Pierre Amoyal, Roman Kim, Fred Sherry, Bruno Canino, and Ayke Agus. This rich experience catalyzes students’ artistic growth and continue to inspire their work throughout the year.

Brevard Music Center offers a rigorous and immersive program of instruction and professional performance, where students and faculty co-exist, collaborate, and perform as one on stage. Private lessons are complemented by participating in orchestral, chamber, and opera performances.

The Colorado College Summer Music Festival, in its 43rd season, is a three-week intensive training festival for pre-professional musicians. All accepted applicants attend on full fellowship with free tuition, room and board. Orchestra, chamber groups, private lessons and mentoring, community outreach, small faculty-to-fellow ratio combine for a very personal experience.

Immersive musical experience in historic Cremona, the birthplace of Claudio Monteverdi, where students receive individualized instruction from world-class faculty. Surrounded by the legacy of legendary luthiers Amati, Stradivari, and Guarneri, participants deepen their musical connection, combining intensive study with the inspiration of a city rooted in classical music history.

Programs in composition, conducting, chamber music, and music pedagogy and organ; intensive study in counterpoint, keyboard harmony, analysis, and musicianship inspired by the legendary tradition of Nadia Boulanger.

Established in 1942, the FSU Summer Music Camps is one of the nation's oldest and most comprehensive summer music programs. Our camps provide exceptional summer music education for elementary through high school students, at all experience levels. Classes are taught by FSU faculty, alumni and nationally recognized teachers and conductors.

FOOSA provides musicians of all ages (kindergarten through adult) with two weeks of lessons, orchestra rehearsals, sectionals, recital opportunities, a concerto competition, and concert performances in some of Southern California's most prestigious concert halls. New for 2027 is the FOOSA Vocal Academy.

The Emerging Artist Program is an opportunity for emerging professional string and piano players to focus exclusively on chamber music in a highly advanced and nurturing environment. This fully funded program immerses fellows through coachings, master classes, seminars, performances, and unique interactions with audience members and supporters.

This intensive solo and chamber music festival welcomes violinists, violists, and cellists into an atmosphere of focused professionalism. The junior program serves students ages 8-13; the senior program serves students ages 14-28. Both share access to world-class faculty and festival fellows.

The Heifetz Institute uniquely combines world-class musical training with groundbreaking communication training, ensuring young artists not only master their craft but also connect powerfully with audiences. With intensive performance opportunities, community outreach, and global streaming reach, Heifetz shapes musicians into transformative performers, leaders, and ambassadors for classical music.

Hidden Valley master classes are immersive, week-long intensives with musician teachers from top performing and teaching institutes. Opportunities for learning, advancement, and creating relationships within the musical community that can last a lifetime. Instruments: oboe, cello, English horn, and jazz flute

Kinhaven's mission is to develop people through music by offering joyous and rigorous musical experiences to accomplished youth and adults in a nurturing, noncompetitive, and collaborative environment.

Founded in 1902, Kneisel Hall provides the highest level of chamber music mentorship through its week-long Program for Maine Students and core seven-week Young Artist Program. Set in the beautiful Maine woods on the coast, Kneisel Hall has been an inspiration for generations of musicians for over 100 years.

Ljubljana Masterclasses offer the best world-renowned professors, excellent working conditions, quiet place for lessons, clearly defined schedule, and access to practice rooms during the day in central Ljubljana. Students can perform at a concert within the 74th Ljubljana Festival, providing them with an opportunity to present themselves to wider audiences.

Together, world-class faculty and gifted students present brilliant performances in an atmosphere of dynamic Christian faith.

Summers at Meadowmount have a lifelong impact. Like many legendary musicians who have come before them, young musicians have the opportunity for focused time and unparalleled guidance to develop their skills and artistry.

Unlike other summer programs, Music@Menlo is devoted exclusively to chamber music, making it singular in its focus. Institute participants benefit from intensive coaching sessions, multiple performance opportunities in three different venues, and master classes with world-renowned artists.

Individually tailored studies for pianists, string players, composers, and conductors who engage in a number of solo, chamber music and string orchestra performances as they perform alongside faculty and guest musicians at various stages and spectacular summer locations. Featuring performances in neighboring Montenegro, Croatia, and other regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

NFMC is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States promoting and supporting American music, performers and music education. As a grassroots organization working in communities throughout America, we provide musical opportunities for all ages: professional and amateur musicians, benefactors, volunteers, music lovers, music teachers, music students, and supportive parents.

The NRO is honored to reside in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado, and proud to celebrate more than 60 years educating the next generation of classical musicians with our prestigious, tuition-free program. At the Summer Music Festival, 80 talented musicians are selected to perform more repertoire than any other festival of its kind offers.

Three full-length productions complete with sets, costumes, and professional orchestra. All productions double-cast so many roles are available, but a minimum of three performances of all roles. Children's opera produced with studio artists; travels to 14 venues, also double-cast. Residential in the beautiful Ozark mountains.

The Peabody Preparatory, Baltimore's premier community school for the performing arts, offers summer programs in music and dance for students of all backgrounds and experience levels. Peabody's world-class faculty and century-long tradition of excellence provide exceptional opportunities for learning, creativity, and performance in an innovative and welcoming environment. .

The Artists-in-Residence are the heart of pianoSonoma. These world-class musicians are committed to sharing their love of music with people from all walks of life. Participants get the opportunity to work one-on-one with these phenomenal artists.

The PSO Summer camp offers a wide variety of classes in addition to full orchestra and sectionals. Students can learn instrument repair, music therapy, improvisation, composition and arranging, wellness for the musician, and many more interesting topics for young musicians.

The Schmidt Vocal Institute (SVI) is a two-week, residential summer program for dedicated high school singers seeking intensive training and artistic growth. SVI brings together talented young vocalists from across the country for an intensive residential experience focused on growth, collaboration, and performance. All fees are $1,000; scholarships available.

An immersive summer festival spanning dance, drama, musical theater, piano, and voice hosted in Orlando, FL. Students develop technical skills and artistic capacities in daily studio classes, workshops, rehearsals, and lessons under the guidance of Juilliard alumni, faculty, and guest artists as well as industry leaders from other top institutions.

A burst (or pulse) of meaningful instruction, relationship building, and growth, MPulse is a transformative experience for young artists. It launches them into the college audition process with a newfound confidence, knowledge base, and passion for the arts. Participants study with our world-renowned faculty on the U-M Ann Arbor campus.

Forty-five composers, performers, teachers, choral singers, improvisers, and electronic musicians from around the world gather together with 15 dedicated faculty and inspiring artists-in-residence in an immersive, residential, and transformational music experience. Recent visiting artists include Nicole Mitchell, Paula Matthusen, Ensemble Dal Niente, International Contemporary Ensemble, and David Friend.

Walden's Young Musicians Program provides an unparalleled summer experience for students ages 9-18. Part school, camp, and festival, Walden features inspiring classes, concerts and composer forums, plus chorus and recreation. Students hone musical and creative skills through a rigorous, innovative curriculum, all within a community of encouraging peers and mentors.

Students will have a 100% musical experience in the facilities of the Reina Sofía School of Music, consisting of instrument technique in individual classes, rehearsals, chamber music, "Building an Artist" master classes, that will help them to enter the professional world of music (preparing their curriculum, auditions, exams, competitions, and injury prevention). Instruments offered are: piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, and voice; additional instruments may be added if there is sufficient demand.