Overture Music Intensive
July 22–August 1, 2026
Apply today! We warmly invite violin, viola, cello, piano, and clarinet students, ages 10-18, to join us for our upcoming summer music intensive in New York.
Applications are open now until February 15, 2026. Click here to learn more
2026 OMI Faculty
Qianwen Shen
Founder / Artistic Director
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Mannes School of Music PREP Faculty
Ole Akahoshi
Guest Artist
Yale School of Music
Director of Yale Cello
Kayoung An
Piano Faculty
Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Faculty
Sam Boutris
Clarinet Faculty
International Concert Soloist
Katherine Fong
Violin Faculty
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Qianru Elaine He
Executive Assistant / Violin Faculty
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Mo Mo
Cello Faculty
International Concert Soloist
Dov Scheindlin
Viola Faculty
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Yinfei Wang
Piano Faculty
New England Conservatory Pre-College Faculty
Jiawei Yan
Administrative Director
Viola Faculty
About Overture Music Intensive (OMI)
The Overture Music Intensive (OMI) warmly invites aspiring violin, viola, cello, piano, and clarinet students aged 10 to 18 to join us in New York City for 11 days of intensive chamber music study, guided by world-class musicians and faculty from leading music institutions. Our distinguished teaching team includes members from renowned symphony orchestras and prestigious music conservatories, such as Benjamin Bowman (Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra) and Ole Akahoshi (Director of Yale Cellos at the Yale School of Music), among others.
Our teaching philosophy centers on nurturing students’ listening, collaboration, and communication skills through immersive chamber music study with our faculty members. Along with improving musical performance skills, we aim to inspire students to discover their unique voice and deepen their understanding of musicianship.
Held in the heart of New York City, OMI provides students a rare opportunity to experience world-class classical music education in an unparalleled environment. Students will have opportunities to visit top-tier New York institutions and music conservatories, and to perform in the final chamber music concert at Carnegie Hall. OMI is open to young musicians from around the world and is dedicated to providing premier guidance to talented students.
We look forward to meeting everyone!
Program Dates
July 22, 2026 to August 1, 2026
Application Requirements:
Aspiring young musicians with a certain level of proficiency in piano, violin, viola, cello, or clarinet, aged between 10 and 18 years old as of July 20, 2026.
Applicants under 12 years old must be accompanied by a parent. If the parent is unable to attend, please inform the organizer and discuss guardianship arrangements.
Applicants aged 12 and above who are confirmed by their parents to be capable of self-care may apply independently by signing a "Consent to Participate" form.
Application Fee:
50 USD per person
Application Deadline:
February 15, 2026
Results Announcement:
March 15, 2026
Audition Repertoire
Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello):
Scales:
Select a major and a minor scale, both in two or three octaves.Two contrasting pieces chosen by the applicant:
Choose two contrasting works from solo repertoire (concertos, sonatas, or other solo works) from different periods, styles, and techniques. One of the works must be from the Classical period (composers like Mozart, Haydn, Handel, Boccherini, etc.).
*It is recommended to consult with your teacher to select pieces that best represent your current highest level.
Piano:
Scale and arpeggio requirements:
One set of major and minor scales and arpeggios, each spanning four octaves with both hands moving in the same direction.Two contrasting pieces:
A first movement from a classical sonata;
Or a contrapuntal work by Bach.
Optional: one additional piece by the application’s choice.
Clarinet:
Age 10 -15:
Two Major Scales 2-3 octaves slurred;
Rose 32 Etudes No. 1, beginning to measure 16,
Rose 32 Etudes No. 9, beginning to measure 16 (Music available upon request).
Age 16 -18:
One etude of choice;
One solo piece of choice under 5 minutes (a section of a longer piece is acceptable).
Registration Guidelines
Video Recording Requirements
Video Quality:
The video must be steady, clear in both audio and visual quality, with synchronized sound and image. No editing allowed.
Dress Code:
Please wear formal attire for the recording.
Video Statement:
The video should clearly show the participant’s face, hands, and the full body of their instrument. At the beginning of the video, the applicant must introduce themselves in English. For example, "Hello, my name is Jack. I am 12 years old, and I play the violin."
Submission Guidelines:
Please name your files in the following format: Instrument + Age + Participant's Name + Piece + Composer (Example: Violin-12-Jack -A Major Violin Concerto 1st Movement-Mozart).
All videos must be uploaded individually; do not submit compressed files.
Once videos are submitted, they cannot be modified or replaced.
We strongly suggest that you upload your videos as “unlisted” on YouTube, or upload the files to Google Drive and share the link link with us.
Program Fees:
Tuition & Room and Board: USD $4,000.00
Off-campus Students: USD $3,000.00
Fee Includes:
Two one-on-one lessons.
Chamber music coachings with faculty members.
Daily guided rehearsals.
Concert performance at Carnegie Hall.
Masterclasses attendance.
Visits to Manhattan and New York City’s prestigious college institutions.
Certificate of program completion.
Room and board throughout the program.
Program Fees Deadline: April 1, 2026
Refund Policy:
In case of cancellation, the program fee may be refunded in 100% if cancelled before April 20, 2026; in 50% if cancelled before May 20, 2026, and in 20% if cancelled before June 20, 2026.
Optional Fees:
Participants may register for solo performances in masterclasses
limited availability
30 minutes per person
Fee: 100 USD per person
Contact Us
Do you have any questions about Overture Music Intensive? Please do not hesitate to leave us a message!