The Chamber Music Academy (CMA) provides students a range of opportunities to study, rehearse, and perform in a setting that balances structure with flexibility, guidance with independence, and discipline with inspiration. CMA ensembles provide an intimate setting for young musicians and their coaches to share the joys of chamber music.
Each chamber music ensemble meets weekly (with breaks for the holidays) between late-September and mid-April on a schedule that works for its participants. Violinist Cynthia Baehr-Williams and flutist Kathleen Purcell share coaching duties. Additional coaches may be brought in as needed. Performance opportunities include two concerts, one in December and one in April. Circumstances permitting, the ensembles may also enter the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival’s Youth Chamber Music Competition in March and the Talent Bank Competition in April. They may be asked to perform after one or both of those competitions. One ensemble will have the opportunity to perform at the Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony’s Fall Concert in November. Visit our Concerts page for more information.
HOW TO APPLY
Please complete the 2024–25 Application Form no later than Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Once all applications are in, Cynthia and Kathleen will make every effort to place all applicants in a trio and quartet. We can’t guarantee that everyone will be placed, but we’ll do our best. Once the ensembles are set, we’ll contact you with more information. Ensembles will begin meeting the week of September 30.
TUITION
Tuition for the Chamber Music Academy covers 20 meetings for each ensemble from late-September to mid-April (50% coached, 50% self-directed), as well as costs for sheet music, prep-time for the coaches, and CMA concerts in December and April. Please do not make a payment until you learn whether or not you are placed in an ensemble. Financial aid is available for families that need assistance. Visit our tuition page to learn more.
The photos on this page were taken by Kevin Monahan at the Chamber Music Academy’s Winter 2019 Concert.