2026 BOWDOIN FESTIVAL
BOWDOIN INTERNATIONAL
SUMMER MUSIC INSTITUTE
JUNE 27 – AUGUST 8, 2026
BRUNSWICK, MAINE
The Festival is one of the world’s premier music institutes, providing an intensive and indepth exploration of chamber and solo music. We cultivate personal attention, encouragement, and nurturing in a setting that includes a broad range of collaborative and supportive relationships and hundreds of opportunities to learn, rehearse, and perform. Join us for a transformational summer experience. Apply today at bowdoinfestival.org/institute.
PROGRAMS
INSTRUMENTAL FELLOWSHIP
Program Overview
Grow through outstanding solo and chamber instruction from our world-class faculty, and collaborate with dedicated peers.
Instruments Accepted violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, harp, percussion
Grow through outstanding solo and chamber instruction, plus receive mentorship from Artistic Directors David Ying and Phillip Ying during this fullyfunded opportunity.
violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, composition
2026 Dates June 27 – July 18 July 18 – August 8 June 27 – August 8
Length 3 weeks OR 6 weeks 6 weeks
Age open to 15+; typical is 15–30 open to 21+
Scholarship scholarship available fully-funded
Application
Deadlines 1/20/26 2/8/26 1/20/26
STRING QUARTET
Pursue the art of the string quartet under the mentorship of inresidence faculty and guest quartets, with ample performance opportunities.
COLLABORATIVE PIANO COMPOSITION
Develop your collaborative career through private lessons, studio classes, masterclasses, and ample performance opportunities.
Grow through lessons, discussions, lectures, and workshops with composers-in-residence Derek Bermel, Andreia Pinto Correia, and guest artists.
pre-formed ensembles collaborative piano composition
June 27 – August 8
June 27 – August 8
June 27 – August 8
6 weeks 6 weeks 6 weeks open to 21+ open to 18+ open to 18+; typical is 18–32 fully-funded fully-funded scholarship available
1/20/26
1/5/26 1/15/26 1/20/26 2/8/26
FESTIVAL FACULTY
VIOLIN
Mélanie Clapiès University of Illinois; Jupiter Quartet
Session 2
Meg Freivogel University of Illinois; Jupiter Quartet
Session 2
YooJin Jang Eastman
Session 2
Renée Jolles Eastman
Session 1
Mikhail Kopelman Eastman
Session 2
Ayano Ninomiya New England Conservatory
Session 1
Itzhak Rashkovsky
Royal College of Music
Session 1
Kurt Sassmannshaus
Cincinnati College–Conservatory
Sessions 1 & 2
Ani Schnarch
Royal College of Music
Session 1
Sergiu Schwartz Schwob School of Music; Lausanne Conservatory
Session 2
Robin Scott Eastman; Ying Quartet
Sessions 1 & 2
Ian Swensen
Session 2
Janet Ying Eastman; Ying Quartet
Session 1
Itamar Zorman Indiana University; Lysander Trio Session 1
VIOLA
Rebecca Albers Mercer University; Minnesota Orchestra Session 1
Che-Yen Chen UCLA; Ehnes Quartet Session 2
Ralph Fielding Session 2
Liz Freivogel University of Illinois; Jupiter Quartet Session 2
Maiya Papach Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Session 1
Melissa Reardon Bard; New England Conservatory; Borromeo Quartet
Session 1
Phillip Ying Eastman; Ying Quartet
Sessions 1 & 2
CELLO
Edward Arron UMass Amherst; Ehnes Quartet
Session 2
Amir Eldan University of Michigan
Session 1
Paul Katz New England Conservatory
Session 2
Ahrim Kim Eastman; Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Sessions 1 & 2
Daniel McDonough University of Illinois; Jupiter Quartet
Session 2
Brandon Vamos
Indiana University; Pacifica Quartet
Session 1
David Ying Eastman; Ying Quartet
Sessions 1 & 2
Jeffrey Zeigler Mannes
Session 1
DOUBLE BASS
Anthony Manzo University of Maryland Session 1
Tracy Rowell Oberlin Conservatory Session 2
HARP
June Han
Columbia; Juilliard; Peabody; Yale
Sessions 1 & 2
PIANO
HieYon Choi Peabody
Session 2
Ran Dank Eastman
Session 1
Elinor Freer Eastman
Session 2
Soyeon Kate Lee Juilliard
Session 1
Tao Lin Shanghai Normal University Sessions 1 & 2
Julian Martin Juilliard
Session 1
Jon Nakamatsu San Francisco Conservatory
Session 2
Jeewon Park Session 2
Liza Stepanova University of Georgia; Lysander Trio Session 1
COLLABORATIVE PIANO
Anne Epperson Indiana University Session 1
Pei-Shan Lee New England Conservatory Session 2
PERCUSSION
Luke Rinderknecht Apollo’s Fire; No Exit New Music
Sessions 1 & 2
WINDS
Linda Chesis Manhattan School of Music
COMPOSITION
Derek Bermel Sessions 1 & 2
Andreia Pinto Correia Sessions 1 & 2
ENSEMBLES
Brentano Quartet Yale
Jupiter String Quartet University of Illinois Lysander Piano Trio
Shanghai Quartet Tianjin Juilliard
Ying Quartet Eastman
Additional woodwind, composition, and ensemble guests to be announced. Visit bowdoinfestival.org for updates.
I loved working with my faculty member. He is a brilliant teacher and kind person. Our lessons together were life changing.” “
OPPORTUNITY AWAITS
SOLO & CHAMBER MUSIC STUDY
Students receive one-on-one mentorship through private instruction from our dedicated faculty, who guide the artistic and personal growth of each young artist. Faculty typically conduct regular studio classes that are open to the full student community, allowing all participants to benefit from multiple perspectives and teaching approaches. Chamber music study is at the heart of the Festival, blending individual voices and artistic interpretations in a rewarding collaborative experience. Plus, students can attend presentations by today’s leading composers and seminars by faculty and guests.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
All students have the opportunity to perform at the Festival, in our Young Artists Series on campus and at Community Concerts throughout Midcoast Maine. Select chamber groups and students also perform in public Masterclasses presented by guest ensembles and artists, as well as the Festival Orchestra. Instrumentalists also have opportunities to collaborate with student composers and gain experience performing new music.
A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
Daily schedules at the Festival vary greatly depending on a student’s focus and interests. The Festival provides freedom for students to plan their own schedules, individual practice, and group rehearsal time. Students do not have predetermined agendas for performances or day-to-day activities. Instead, students are surrounded by world-class faculty, inspiring peers, terrific facilities, and ample performance opportunities. Students take these resources and create a schedule that reflects their personal goals for the summer.
Chamber music was fun, exciting, and full of learning and growth opportunities.”
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
• Faculty Concerts: our faculty and guest artists present 20 concerts during the season, and students get free tickets to these inspiring performances.
• Livestreaming & Recording: students receive HD videos of their performances in Studzinski Hall.
• Photo Sessions: students have the opportunity to take free headshots with the Festival photographer.
“
Everything was awesome, I didn’t want to leave.”
STUDENT LIFE
BOWDOIN COLLEGE CAMPUS
Students are housed in Bowdoin College residence halls and have access to Bowdoin’s libraries, museums, athletic complex, and playing fields. Performances take place in the college’s state-of-the-art Studzinski Recital Hall. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided by the award-winning Bowdoin College dining hall team, which is consistently rated in the top five nationwide for “best college food.”
ACTIVITIES & EXPLORING MIDCOAST MAINE
Brunswick is home to about 22,000 year-round residents. It boasts an eclectic range of great restaurants, food trucks, cafés, a gelato shop (a Festival favorite), and stores within a short walk of campus. As a coastal Maine community, we are fortunate to be surrounded by incredible natural beauty. Students hike along rocky shores, swim at local beaches, spot iconic lighthouses, participate in goat yoga, and take excursions to Monhegan Island. Many students participate in basketball, soccer, frisbee, and pingpong and pool tournaments, in addition to low-key board game nights, craft projects, and sight-reading parties. Students also have the opportunity to explore Maine through the Festival’s Community Concert series, where participants perform at arts centers, breweries, libraries, and museums throughout the Midcoast region.
PROGRAM FEES
APPLICATION FEES
Program By 1/20/26 After 1/20/26
Instrumental Program $ 79 $ 149
Fellowship Program
$ 99
String Quartet Program $ 99
Collaborative Piano Program $ 99 (by 1/5) $ 149 (after 1/5)
Composition Program $ 79 $ 149
PROGRAM FEES
The following are all-inclusive fees for the Instrumental and Composition Programs. The Fellowship, String Quartet, and Collaborative Piano Programs are fully-funded.
2026 Fees 3-Week Session 6-Week Session
Participation Fee $ 2,750 $ 4,850
Room & Board $ 2,000 $ 3,400
Facility Fee $ 300 $ 600 TOTAL $ 5,050 $ 8,850
SCHOLARSHIP
APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Festival is committed to enrolling all admitted students regardless of financial need. All applicants may apply for financial assistance during the application process. Awards are determined on the basis of need and merit. In addition, eligible candidates may apply for Resident Assistant positions.
70% of students receive scholarship
RESIDENT ASSISTANT
Resident Assistants (RAs) act as supervisors in the residence halls and apartments and receive scholarship covering room and board. RAs must be at least 20, hold a valid driver’s license, and must attend the Festival for six weeks.
Being a Resident Assistant is a great opportunity to help shape the experience of fellow students and be part of a dedicated and fun team within the Festival community.
Applicants who would like to be considered for an RA position should submit a statement of interest and résumé in the online application that demonstrates related experience.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are submitted through the SlideRoom portal on our website. The following are the steps you can expect to see in the application. Once you have your audition videos and financial info ready, you can complete the application in under 10 minutes.
Student Profile
Program Details: session and faculty preferences
Financial Aid Application (optional)
Resident Assistant Application (optional)
Audition Videos
Letter of Recommendation
Application Fee
Submit Completed Application
INSTRUMENTAL & NON-WIND
FELLOWSHIP: AUDITION VIDEOS
Submit two contrasting pieces of any length that best represent your current level of playing. An accompanist is encouraged but not required.
WIND FELLOWSHIP: AUDITION VIDEOS
Submit (1) the exposition of the first movement of a Mozart concerto, (2) an additional work of your choice, (3) a contemporary piece demonstrating proficiency with basic extended techniques, (4) encouraged, but not required: one movement from a chamber music work from any period.
Audition videos may be uploaded or linked from YouTube or Vimeo.
STRING QUARTET: AUDITION VIDEOS
Submit two contrasting pieces of any length that best represent your current level of playing.
COLLABORATIVE PIANO: AUDITION OPTIONS
Collaborative pianists may submit videos, schedule a live audition via Zoom, or schedule an in-person audition in Bloomington. Please visit bowdoinfestival.org for detailed repertoire requirements.
COMPOSITION: SCORES & RECORDINGS
Submit two original scores in PDF format and recordings of each of the scores. MIDI realizations are acceptable.
Bowdoin is a great and extremely supportive community. You have complete freedom to make this experience anything you want it to be.” “
