Young Artist Experience

As a Young Artist, you can expect to receive:

  • Additional collaborative piano experience prior to employment or applying to graduate school;
  • Practice accompanying for an array of coursework or performances within the nationally renowned School of Music, Theatre, and Dance;
  • Individualized lessons and mentoring including private lessons, observation, discussion, and professional guidance pertaining to your accompanying assignments; and a
  • Personalized professional development profile and plan

This is a non-credit bearing program. Upon completion of a full academic year on campus (fall and spring semesters), you will receive a non-credit bearing professional certificate.

Interested? Keep reading below for more information!

Accompanying practicum

You will be assigned 15 hours per week of accompanying for coursework, performances, or finals juries within the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

Individualized lessons and mentoring

You will receive 2 dedicated hours of individualized lessons and mentoring per week for 14 weeks as follows:

  1. One hour will be dedicated to a private lesson.
  2. One hour will be used for observation, discussion, and professional guidance pertaining to their accompanying assignments.

*Depending upon the number of young artists participating in the program, we may also offer an additional group seminar.

Personalized professional development profile and plan

You will receive regular feedback on observations, technical goals, and professional development to support you in incorporating into a professional development profile and plan. Plans may focus on creating an audition profile for DMA or master’s program; a business plan as an entrepreneur; a marketing strategy (e.g. website, social media, etc.); and/or budget plan for your business as a professional collaborative pianist.

Program Dates

The Program will begin in Fall 2025 with participants enrolled in the program for one academic year (defined as fall and spring semesters). The Ithaca College academic calendars are available here.

The schedule for young artists for the 2025-26 academic year will be as follows:

  • Arrive for fall semester on Wednesday, August 13, 2025
  • Depart for winter break Saturday, December 19, 2025 (you must be present during finals week to accompany finals juries)
  • Arrive for spring semester on Wednesday, January 15, 2026
  • Complete spring semester and the program on Wednesday, May 14, 2026 (you must be present during finals week to accompany finals juries)

Fees and Application

If you are requesting financial support for participation, the complete application is due by November 06, 2024 and applicants will be notified by July 15, 2023 if financial support is awarded.

If you are not requesting financial support, the complete application is due by November 20, 2024. 

More details on the program fees and application process are available on this page

Apply by November 06, 2024!

Applications for our 2025-2026 academic year are now being accepted. Completed applications must be received by:

  • November 06, 2024 if you are requesting financial support
  • November 20, 2024 if you are not requesting financial support

We will begin notifying applicants of their acceptance beginning approximately December 16, 2024. Early application is encouraged as limited spaces are available in the program.