The SCMS Youth Academy is an intense pre-college level program designed to develop the next generation of world-class chamber musicians. Seattle’s most talented young musicians will be selected and placed into chamber groups together, perform in masterclasses for SCMS musicians, participate in community-building events, and receive weekly coachings from our internationally renowned faculty.
Date: Sunday, May 31
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Center for Chamber Music, Lower Level
Tickets: Pay What You Will (Suggested Price: $20)
Program: TBA
Date: Sunday, May 31
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Center for Chamber Music, Lower Level
Tickets: Pay What You Will (Suggested Price: $20)
Program: TBA
Please note that students who participate in the Spring 2026 semester will be given priority consideration for the Fall 2026 semester.
Age: 12–18*
Instruments: violin, viola, cello, bass, piano
Early Application Fee (June 1-July 11): $50.00 (non-refundable)
Application Fee (after July 11): $75.00 (non-refundable)
Tuition: $1,000.00 per semester
Financial Aid: Need-based tuition assistance is available for those who qualify
Location: All coachings and masterclasses will take place at the Center for Chamber Music
*Exceptionally talented applicants under the age of 12 may apply, but additional screening requirements will be requested.
Early Application Window*: Monday June 1 – Saturday, July 11, 2026 ($50)
Fees Increase: Sunday, July 12 – Monday, August 10, 2026 ($75)
Applications Close: Monday, August 10, 2026
Semester: Sunday, September 27 – Sunday, December 13
Fall 2026 Academy Showcase: TBD
*Applications fees will increase on July 12, 2026
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
All Academy applicants must submit at least one link to a recording of a solo work that demonstrates your current capabilities on your instrument. A minimum of 10 minutes is requested and can be divided between 2 videos if needed. It is highly recommended that applicants submit two links if you are able. The second link can be either a solo work or chamber music.
Requests for pre-formed groups will be considered but are not guaranteed.
QUESTIONS:
Contact us at [email protected]
This is a password protected portal for current students enrolled in the Academy for Chamber Music. In this portal current students can find their repertoire assignments, masterclass dates, and more details about Academy community events.
Angela Bae
Violin
Violinist of the Balourdet Quartet
Efe Baltacıgil
Cello
Principal Cello of the Seattle Symphony
Elisa Barston
Violin
Principal Second Violin of the Seattle Symphony
Nathan Chan
Cello
Associate Principal Cello of the Seattle Symphony
Justin DeFilippis
Violin
Violinist of the Balourdet Quartet
James Garlick
Violin
Co-Artistic Director of Music on the Strait
Noah Geller
Violin/Viola
Concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony
Joseph Gottesman
Viola
Professor of Viola at Western Washington University
Susan Gulkis Assadi
Viola
Internationally Renowned Violist and Teacher
Márta Hortobágyi Lambert
Viola
Grow Family Director of Education and Community Engagement at SCMS
Russell Houston
Cello
Cellist of the Balourdet Quartet
Simon James
Violin
Professor of Violin at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Kevin Krentz
Cello
Internationally Renowned Cellist and Teacher
Jaime Laredo
Violin
Guest Coach, Fall 2026
Nino Merabishvili
Piano
Internationally Renowned Pianist and Teacher
Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt
Viola
Guest Coach, Fall 2026
Anna Polonsky
Piano
Guest Coach, Fall 2026
Rachel Lee Priday
Violin
Assistant Professor of Violin at the University of Washington
Paige Roberts Molloy
Piano
Internationally Renowned Pianist and Teacher
Sharon Robinson
Cello
Guest Coach, Fall 2026
Mark Salman
Piano
Internationally Renowned Pianist and Teacher
Jonathan Vinocour
Viola
Guest Coach, Fall 2026
Benjamin Zannoni
Viola
Violist of the Balourdet Quartet
James Ehnes
Violin/Viola
Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Artistic Director
Edward Arron
Cello
Phoenix Avalon
Violin
Angela Bae
Violin
Violinist of the Balourdet Quartet
Albert Cano Smit
Piano
Che-Yen Chen
Viola
Catherine Cho
Violin
Justin DeFilippis
Violin
Violinist of the Balourdet Quartet
Marc-André Hamelin
Piano
Russell Houston
Cello
Cellist of the Balourdet Quartet
Joshua McClendon
Cello
Devin Moore
Viola
Amy Schwartz Moretti
Violin
Adrian Steele
Violin
Jonathan Vinocour
Viola
Guest Coach, Fall 2026
Benjamin Zannoni
Viola
Violist of the Balourdet Quartet
We are on a mission to bring the highest quality musical experiences to all corners of our community.
