The Next Generation of World-Class Musicians

SCMS Youth
Academy

Youth Academy for Chamber Music

Supporting the Next Generation

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.

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I. What do you get as a member of the Academy for Chamber Music?

10 hours of coachings with world-class musicians
Masterclass performance opportunities (solo and chamber) with SCMS musicians
Community-building events including sight-reading parties, studio classes, and informal performances in community spaces
Premier performance opportunities for select students in SCMS Pre-Concert Recitals at Nordstrom Recital Hall and Classical King’s Northwest Focus Live
Coachings with SCMS’s String Quartet in Residence
Final Performance at the Academy Showcase

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II. Semester Overview

Applications are submitted and reviewed; students are placed into chamber groups and assigned repertoire
All students must attend at least one orientation before the semester begins
Weekly coachings take place over the semester
All groups perform in two masterclasses; select students may be invited to perform in solo masterclasses
Students are required to participate in at least one studio class and the final Academy Showcase

Please note that students who participate in the Fall 2025 semester will be given priority consideration for the Spring 2026 semester.

III. Application Details (Spring 2026)

Age: 12–18*

Instruments: violin, viola, cello, bass, piano

Early Application Fee: $50.00 (non-refundable)

Application Fee (after Jan. 17, 2026): $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*: Dec 8, 2025 – Jan. 16, 2026
Applications Close: Feb. 2, 2026
Semester: Mar -May, 2026
Spring 2026 Academy Showcase: TBD

*Applications fees will increase on Jan. 17, 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]

IV. Current Student Portal

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.