Description

In partnership with the El Paso Pro-Musica, the Young Artist Development Series (YADS) provides immersion in aspects of classical performance that are often relegated to the sidelines of a conservatory education but critical to success in today’s classical music market: excellent verbal communication, venue- and audience-specific performance programming skills, flexible response to varying concert venues and formats, poise and warmth in engaging with diverse audiences, and community outreach.

Through coaching, practical application, written reflection, and follow-up assessment with YADS staff, participating Young Artists will gain invaluable skills to enter today’s professional arena. Unlike other young artist training programs, there is no critique of technique or musicianship. Instead the focus is on communication skills, audience engagement, and programming experimentation.

The YADS residencies are in El Paso, Texas, and Mesa, Arizona.  Activities will be coached by El Paso Pro-Musica Artistic Director, Zuill Bailey, and Executive Director, Felipa Solis.

El Paso Pro-Musica provides each Young Artist with a $1,000 performance stipend, room, board, and ground transportation during the program. Peabody provides round-trip airfare.

Past participants (and locations) include:

• Bergamot Quartet (El Paso, Fall 2019)
• MITT3N Percussion (El Paso, Fall 2018)
• Nathan Cornelius (El Paso) and Trio Jinx (Mesa, Fall 2017)
• Trio Jinx (El Paso) and Marquis Brass (Mesa, Spring 2017)
• Marquis Brass (El Paso, Fall 2016)
• duo Nikita Borisevich and Margarita Loukachkina (El Paso, 2015)

Eligibility and Requirements

• Open to soloists and chamber ensembles (of up to five players)
• Open to undergraduate, MM, GPD, AD, and returning DMA students.
• Young Artists are expected to give performances of varying lengths in diverse venues including schools, museums and community organizations; lead master classes; and take part in media engagements.

Application Instructions and Timeline

YADS 2022-23 application deadline is April 1, 2022. Live auditions for finalists will take place May 2-3, 2022.

Applications can be found here and will include the following:

• Letter of interest and list of qualifications for YADS
• Resumes and bios of each performer (up to five performers for ensembles)
• Audition repertoire (15-minutes)
• Proposed concert program (80-minutes)

For further information, please contact Khandeya Sheppard, Manager of Community Partnerships at [email protected].