The signature component of the program is this weekly class, led by Rebecca Henry, String Department Chair and PCVP Director. Focus on:

Technique — Students refine the relationships between motion and music and continue the search for flexible, free motions and virtuoso technique.

Solo Performance — Students perform often in this weekly master class setting as they prepare for recitals, competitions, and college auditions. Peabody Conservatory faculty regularly spend time with PCVP students and contribute to their growth. Guests artists from the music world at large have included Midori, Nicholas Kitchen, Aaron Berofsky, Jonathan Carney, Stefan Jackiw, Nicholas Kendall, and Mimi Zweig. PCVP also travels to other conservatories for master classes, including New England Conservatory, The Boston Conservatory, The Colburn School, and The Blair School of Music.

Ensemble Performance — PCVP rehearses 2–8 part violin music in preparation for concerts that include both solo and ensemble performances. They have performed at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Series, with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, and members have performed with the Lark Quartet. PCVP travels once every year or two to collaborate with other students and programs including The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, The Colburn School, Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division, and The Duke String School.

The Performance Academy will collaborate with the Preparatory’s Pre-Conservatory Violin Program (PCVP) for a special Performance Academy Festival Orchestra in January with a guest conductor and special performance at the Walters Art Museum. This string orchestra will meet for three weeks in lieu of Performance Academy Chamber Music and PCVP class.

Rehearsals with a professional pianist, Hsiao-Ying Lin, whose time is dedicated to the specific individual development of these young artists. Each student receives a six hours of rehearsal time per semester, and the pianist is available to perform with the student in most recitals, concerts, and area competitions.

PCVP students are required to participate in either Performance Academy Chamber Music or the Peabody Youth Orchestra to round out their ensemble experiences at the Preparatory (*cost is not included in PCVP tuition per semester), and are encouraged to participate in both. No extra audition is needed for PA Chamber Music, which is only open to PCVP members (SAT 8:30-10:30).

Students study privately for either 60 minutes or 90 minutes weekly with Peabody faculty (cost is not included in PCVP tuition per semester). Partial scholarships are available for lessons for those accepted into the PCVP and students are encouraged to apply. For current lesson prices, please see the online catalog.