String Insiders

Quick reminder that applications to the Online Solo Strings Intensive (OSSI) are due TONIGHT! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis afterwards, depending on studio space.

Apply to study with these amazing faculty members, along with studio classes, masterclasses, sessions, and more. 🙋🏻‍♀️ Study from wherever you are in the world, with a totally flexible schedule 🌎 Level up your playing before auditions and prescreening is due! 🎻

Faculty come from Curtis Institute, New England Conservatory, Juilliard, Yale, University of Michigan, Indiana University, Vanderbilt University, and more 🤩

Application link in bio, email me with any questions before then!

Asking for a trial lesson can be a tricky thing to navigate, especially with finances at play! Remember: always always always be courteous and ask about a lesson fee with a teacher, even if they don’t bring it up 🤗 it will leave a much better impression than not discussing it at all!

Don’t forget you can make these same connections through OSSI, happening in November, and get way more included in your tuition! Studio classes, masterclasses, sessions, etc.

Link in bio for more info :)

NEW THIS YEAR: Fall Online Solo Strings Intensive this November!!

Meet teachers before prescreenings are due (usually due December 1) and make connections with admission officers, peers, and professors from around the country and world 🌎

You don’t have to be applying for schools this fall in order to attend and you are also encouraged to do this program alongside your other commitments — this is a flexible program!

Our faculty list is stacked, as usual, and applications are open now - due OCTOBER 20!

DM if you have any questions! Link in bio for all the deets 🔗

Some photos I never posted post-graduation… it’s so crazy to think about everything that’s happened since I graduated in May 2023! I’m now in full-time admissions work and learning so much about how the process works (and sharing what I’m learning with you 😁)

Want to learn more secrets about getting into music school? Come to the Online Solo Strings Intensive 💪🏼 Jan 3-20, 2025, fully online with amazing faculty, private lessons, open studio classes, and sessions on getting into school. Plus a virtual college fair!

Link in bio for more info :)

📸:

OFFICIAL FACULTY ANNOUNCEMENT! Join us in January for open studio classes with all faculty so that no matter who you study with, you can learn from all!

Amazing roster as always plus NEW this year: study with multiple teachers and choose the number of lessons you want!

Application details at the link in bio. Applications close Dec 1. (And scholarship is available!)

My thoughts on your junior/senior year timeline ⬇️

It’s so easy to get burned out on repertoire and the reason is simple: music isn’t meant to be played for 2 minutes and then cut off! You focus a lot of energy and time working on a small bit of music and you think that the jury is just looking for technical perfection (not quite true, but we have to get into that another time…)

It is hard to avoid burnout but if you plan out your timeline and follow my tips, you might avoid some of it!

Potential timeline starting fall of junior year 👀

🍁September - October: start collecting a list of schools you might be interested in. Make a spreadsheet! Talk to your teacher about what they think. Make a list of potential categories you’ll have to have ready (concerto, Bach, etc.)

🍁November - January: ask for trial lessons, if you know of teachers you want, or start researching teachers. Attend a program like the Online Solo Strings Intensive to meet teachers in January (announcement coming soon)! Research pieces you’d want to work on that fit into the categories.

🍁February - March: Start your big concerto - this gives you 8 months to work on it. Apply to summer programs where potential teachers will be (the Online Solo Strings Intensive is also in the summer!)

🍁April - May: School visits in person if you can.

🍁June-August: If you’re able, attend a summer program where teachers are. This can be a low-cost program like the Online Solo Strings Intensive! If you can’t, then just give yourself a break and set up a practice routine after your break is done. I would start your Bach during this time.

🍁September: senior year starts! Double check that the audition requirements haven’t changed for your instrument.

🍁October: start any repertoire that will only be for live auditions. You can also wait until December to do this, depending on what the music is. Ask teachers to be your recommenders. Contact any final teachers about trial lessons.

🍁November: record prescreenings and don’t wait until the last minute! Write your essays and complete your application.

🍁December: submit your application! Start to prepare for live auditions 😵

Share your thoughts below!

These people make it all worth it 🥹 after 4 glorious weeks in the PNW with .youngartists at , I am so grateful for these amazing students, staff and faculty!

Year 2 down, who knows how many to go!

The rest of our incredible panels…you don’t want to miss them! Daily from May 26-June 4 😊

If you’re curious how to become a soloist or successful freelancer/entrepreneur or want to know what an artist manager does, now’s your chance!

You can purchase an auditor pass at a low cost through the link in bio.

You can also see our full schedule of events by clicking my link 🤩

Even if you can’t make the sessions live, you’ll have access to the recordings for one month after OSSI ends (or you can watch multiple times!)

I’m looking forward to these panels and all of OSSI, starting TOMORROW!!

Ever wondered about winning an orchestra audition? Or creating a career in chamber music?

Now’s your chance to ask questions directly to professionals!

Purchase an auditor pass to come to these panels and more LIVE on Zoom and available to watch for 1 month after the session!

First session starts May 26, last session is June 4. Full schedule available at the link in bio!

Purchase an auditor pass today!
Link in bio 😁

A long semester later, we made it 😅😅

I’ve now played my last student performances and it’s bittersweet…I’ll miss the structure of school and making friends easily but I won’t miss the burnout and taking classes I don’t want to take lol

And now the real world! I’ll be gigging/freelancing and interviewing for arts admin jobs and will probably make some videos on the process

Also OSSI (Online Solo Strings Intensive) is coming up and life just gets crazier from here!!

We have amazing panels and masterclasses lined up…want to watch as an auditor? Link in bio!

Half the masterclass faculty of the Online Solo Strings Intensive 🤩

Applications for this 10-day online summer music festival close April 10 at 11:59pm PDT 💥

Don’t miss out on studying with these world class faculty members!

Paul Watkins: cello professor at .music, cellist of the

Danielle Belen: violin professor at (University of Michigan)

Alexi Kenney: violin soloist, recent recipient of an Avery Fischer Career Grant

If you’re excited about any of these masterclasses, share to your story 🫶🏼