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.
Coaching: Each chamber group receives 10 coaching sessions throughout the semester.
Rehearsals: Groups are required to rehearse at least once outside of the weekly coaching sessions.
Masterclass Opportunities: Each group has 2 opportunities to perform in a masterclass with SCMS musicians.
Community Events: Groups are invited to participate in community-building events, including sight-reading parties and studioclasses.
Showcase Performance: At the end of each semester, groups perform in the Academy Showcase.
Applications Open: December 16, 2024
Applications Closed: January 19, 2025
Semester: Sunday, March 16-Saturday, May 31, 2025
Academy Showcase: TBD
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. 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.
Age Range: 12–18*
Instruments: violin, viola, cello, bass, piano
Application Fee: $50.00 (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.
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.
AMY SCHWARTZ MORETTI violin
ANDREW ARMSTRONG piano
JAMES EHNES violin
ALESSIO BAX piano
PAUL WATKINS cello
YURA LEE violin/viola
AMY YANG piano
JONATHAN SWENSEN cello
ORION WEISS piano
ELISA BARSTON Violin Faculty, Principal 2nd Violin of the Seattle Symphony
NOAH GELLER Violin Faculty, Concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony
SIMON JAMES Violin Faculty, San Francisco Conservatory
RACHEL LEE PRIDAY Violin Faculty, University of Washington
JOSEPH GOTTESMAN Viola Faculty, Western Washington University, Viola and Chamber Music
SUSAN GULKIS-ASSADI Viola Faculty, Former Principal Violist of the Seattle Symphony
MÁRTA HORTOBÁGYI LAMBERT Viola Faculty, Director of Education and Community Engagement at SCMS
EFE BALTACIGIL Cello Faculty, Principal Cellist of the Seattle Symphony
NATHAN CHAN Cello Faculty, Assistant Principal Cello of Seattle Symphony
KEVIN KRENTZ Cello Faculty, Internationally Recognized Cellist and Teacher
NINO MERABISHVILI Piano Faculty, Internationally Recognized Pianist and Teacher
PAIGE ROBERTS MOLLOY Piano Faculty, Internationally Recognized Pianist and Teacher
MARK SALMAN Piano Faculty, Internationally Recognized Pianist and Teacher
CRAIG SHEPPARD Piano Faculty, University of Washington
SASHA STARCEVICH Piano Faculty, Internationally Recognized Pianist and Teacher
