2024 Faculty:
Violin:
Danielle Belen | University of Michigan School of Music
Lynn Chang | New England Conservatory, Boston University, Boston Conservatory of Music, MIT
Kristopher Tong | New England Conservatory, Borromeo String Quartet
Viola:
Molly Carr | The Juilliard School of Music, Juilliard String Quartet
Steven Laraia | Boston Symphony Orchestra
Mai Motobuchi | New England Conservatory
Cello:
Blaise Déjardin | New England Conservatory, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Rhonda Rider | Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Boston University
Edward Arron | University of Massachusetts Amherst
Additional faculty:
Emily Taubl, Workshop Director | University of Vermont + Middlebury College
John Zion | President & CEO of MKI Artists
Maya Jacobs | Learning & Wellness manager for the Philadelphia Orchestra,
former Admissions Counselor at the New England Conservatory
Sample Schedule:
Participants will take part in a busy schedule of activities focused on optimizing performance at their upcoming auditions. The schedule includes daily mock auditions, lessons, consultations and discussion sessions targeting key aspects of the audition process. (Please note that this is a sample schedule and subject to change.)
SUNDAY, August 11
3:00pm - Arrival / check in at the Walnut Hill campus
5:00pm – Introduction session for students with Workshop Director, Emily Taubl
6:00pm – Dinner
7:30pm – Individual practice time
9:30pm – Return to dorm
MONDAY, August 12
7:30am – Breakfast
8:30am – Individual practice time
10:00am – Discussion with Workshop Director, Emily Taubl, “What makes a successful audition?”
12:00pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Exploring all things about the application process; financial aid, dual-degrees, essays, resumes and more! Session with Maya Jacobs, Learning & Wellness manager for the Philadelphia Orchestra and former admissions counselor at the New England Conservatory
3:00pm – Individual consultations with Workshop Director, Emily Taubl / Individual practice time
6:00pm – Dinner
7:30pm – Evening activity / Chamber music sight-reading party
9:30pm – Return to dorm
Tuesday, August 13
7:30am – Breakfast
9:00am –
Mock auditions for cellists with guest Blaise Déjardin | New England Conservatory, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Mock auditions for violinists with guest Kristopher Tong | New England Conservatory, Borromeo String Quartet
Mock auditions for violists with guest Steven Laraia | Boston Symphony Orchestra
12:30pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Lessons for cellists with guest faculty, Blaise Déjardin
2:00pm – Individual consultations with Workshop Director, Emily Taubl / Individual practice time
5:00pm – Group discussion session with Blaise Déjardin, “Audition Day”
6:00pm – Dinner
7:30pm – Evening activity (TBD)
9:30pm – Return to dorm
Wednesday, August 14
7:30am – Breakfast
9:00am –
Mock auditions for violists with guest Molly Carr | The Juilliard School, Juilliard String Quartet
Mock auditions for violinists with guest Lynn Chang | New England Conservatory, Boston University, Boston Conservatory of Music and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mock auditions for cellists with guest Edward Arron | University of Massachusetts Amherst
12:30pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Lessons for violists with guest faculty, Molly Carr
2:00pm – Individual consultations with Workshop Director, Emily Taubl / Individual practice time
5:00pm – Group discussion session with Molly Carr, “Auditions and nerves”
6:00pm – Dinner
7:30pm – Evening activity (TBD)
9:30pm – Return to dorm
THURSDAY, August 15
7:30am – Breakfast
9:00am –
Mock auditions for violinists with guest Danielle Belen | University of Michigan School of Music
Mock auditions for violists with guest Mai Motobuchi | New England Conservatory of Music
Mock auditions for cellists with guest Rhonda Rider | Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Boston University
12:30pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Lessons for violinists with guest faculty, Danielle Belen
2:00pm – Individual consultations with Workshop Director, Emily Taubl / Individual practice time
5:00pm – Group discussion session with Danielle Belen, “Choosing the right school for you”
6:00pm – Dinner
7:30pm – Evening activity (TBD)
9:30pm – Return to dorm
FRIDAY, August 16
7:30am – Breakfast
9:00am –
Mock auditions for cellists and violists with Emily Taubl | Program Director
Mock auditions for violinists with guest Danielle Belen | Michigan School of Music
12:30pm – Lunch
2:00pm – Final consultations meetings with Workshop Director, Emily Taubl / Individual practice time
4:00pm – Group discussion with John Zion | President & CEO of MKI Artists, “Creating a successful career in classical music”
6:00pm – Dinner
7:30pm – Performance night! Each student will perform a full movement from their audition repertoire.
10:00pm – Return to dorm
SaturDAY, August 17
8:00am – Breakfast
10:00am – Departure from campus
Facilities:
For our 2024 Workshop, we are looking forward to being on the scenic campus of the Walnut Hill School for the Arts. This beautiful facility is located just a short drive outside of Boston in Natick, MA and features newly built rehearsal and performances spaces and a lovely sprawling campus.
Tuition:
The Conservatory Audition Workshop gives participants a competitive advantage during the audition process with invaluable one-on-one interaction with teachers from top music schools and strategies for taking successful auditions.
Tuition: $2,300
Housing and Dining: $700
Health Fee: $75
For more information on fees, financial aid and tuition payments, please visit: https://necmusic.edu/caw