This three-and-a-half-week program offers approximately eleven outstanding conservatory-level musicians a multitude of opportunities to develop their technical and interpretive skills under the tutelage of world-class chamber music coaches and educators. Students have a rigorous schedule consisting of rehearsals, coachings, and master classes, culminating in multiple performances on Music@Menlo’s main stages. International Program students are chosen by application and audition to work daily with the festival’s renowned artist-faculty in an intensive exploration of the chamber music repertoire and to participate in a variety of seminars focusing on the issues and questions facing today’s young musicians. Students are given free admission to all festival concerts and lectures and are encouraged to attend as many of these events as possible.
Key Details:
Age Range:
20-30
Application Deadline:
December 5, 2026
Application Fee:
$70 before December 1
$130 from December 2–15
Institute Directors:
Gilbert Kalish, Co-Director
Kristin Lee, Co-Director
Arnaud Sussmann, Co-Director
Example Daily Schedule
Fees
Application Fee:
$70 if submitted by December 1

$130 if submitted after December 1
For application fee waivers, please email institute@musicatmenlo.org detailing the need for the exemption.
Tuition:
Full tuition fellowship is provided through the Ann S. Bowers Young Artist Fund, including housing with host families. Participants are responsible for their own travel costs to/from the Bay Area.
International Program FAQs
How many years of private instruction should I have before applying to the Smith Family Young Performers Program (ages 13 to 19)?
We recommend that young musicians have at least five years of prior music study with a private teacher.
Is a live audition required?
Live auditions are strongly recommended, for both Smith Family Young Performers Program and International Program applicants. However, if a Young Performer applicant lives further than 200 miles from a live audition site, a Zoom audition will be scheduled. Faculty would prefer to hear International Program applicants live and will only schedule Zoom auditions on a case-by-case basis.
When will applicants be notified if they are invited to a live audition?
We try to provide one to two weeks’ advance notice, but you should hold the dates on your calendar for auditions in your city until confirmed.
At the live audition, do I need to play the same repertoire that was submitted with my application?
Live auditions are typically fifteen minutes long. For both the Smith Family Young Performers Program and the International Program, applicants should adhere to the repertoire requirements as outlined in the application information section.
If I am a string player invited to a live audition, should I bring a pianist with me?
For the International Program, yes, if possible. If you are not able to do so, please bring piano scores with you to your audition. For the Young Performers Program, we will provide you with an accompanist.
When will I know if I have been accepted?
Audition results are generally sent to applicants by email. All applicants will be notified of their status by March 1, 2026. Invited applicants are typically given twenty-four hours to accept or decline an invitation for admission.
How much does the program cost?
For both the Smith Family Young Performers Program and International Program, all accepted students receive full tuition fellowships through the support of the Ann S. Bowers Young Artist Fund.
I am applying to the Smith Family Young Performers Program and do not live in the Bay Area. Do you provide housing for students from out of town?
Housing is available for students residing outside of 40 miles from Atherton, CA in dormitory facilities on the campus of Menlo College, which is adjacent to Menlo School. The housing fee is $3,900. Housing support is available for those needing assistance by completing a Housing Support Application.
