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2022 Vocal Institute applications now open!
2022 Instrumental, Solo Piano, and Collaborative Piano application and audition season will be announced by November 2021.
I’m so thankful to have been given the opportunity to perform with living legends and to have taken lessons from teachers I greatly admire. The atmosphere of Santa Barbara, the enthusiastic and open audience, the performance opportunities, the professional opportunities such as the Keston MAX audition… all of these things have propelled me to being one step closer to being a finer musician.
— 2021 fellow
This was the best, most artistically fulfilling summer of my life!
— 2021 fellow
Application Requirements & Deadlines
Application Form
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines are through 11:59 pm Pacific Time
2022 Voice Program / Nov 1, 2021
2022 Vocal Piano Program / Nov 1, 2021
Application Fees
2022 Voice, Vocal Piano, Collaborative Piano, Instrumental & Solo Piano Programs: $50 (non-refundable)
- Fees can be paid online through Acceptd using a credit card. Money orders, cash and checks are not accepted.
- Out of fairness to all applicants, the application fee cannot be waived.
Age Requirements
- Minimum age is 18
- Maximum age is 34 (27 for string players)
Audition Locations & Schedule
- 2022 Voice and Vocal Piano audition process is a Pre-Screening Round followed by an Invitation-only Virtual Live Round. The virtual live round auditions will occur on December 3, 4, and 5, 2021.
- 2022 Instrumental, Solo Piano, and Collaborative Piano audition process will be announced by November 2021.
Alumni Eligibility
All alumni are welcome to re-apply. Enrollment is limited to a maximum of three summers for all studios.
Festival, Arrival, and Departure Dates
2022 Festival: June 13 – August 6
Arrival: Jun 11
Departure: Aug 7
Enrollment Security Deposit Fee
A $200 Enrollment Security Deposit is due upon acceptance of a Fellowship invitation. After completion of the summer program the $200 Security Deposit will be refunded minus deductions in the event of loss or damage to any Academy property.
Out of fairness to all enrolled fellows, the Enrollment Security Deposit cannot be waived.
Application FAQs
Full Scholarship Festival
All enrolled musicians attend the Summer School and Festival on full-scholarship, including free tuition, accommodations, and meals.
Level of education required to apply
There is no minimum education level required. However, please note most applicants are currently in the process of their undergraduate or graduate degrees in music.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are not required.
International Applicants & Documentation
International students are welcome to apply. All instruction and communication at the Music Academy is offered in English. A basic understanding of written and spoken English is expected of program participants.
International students do not need any special documentation to accompany the application. If enrolled, international students must have an United States F-1 student visa and Form I-20 (certificate of non-immigrant student status) or OPT (optional practical training) status covering the summer festival dates. Canadians are visa exempt but still must have Form I-20. US permanent residents must simply provide a copy of the permanent resident card if enrolled. Music Academy staff will help guide international students through the visa process and can issue Form I-20 to those not already enrolled in a US program, but all visa documents and fees are the student’s responsibility. If an international student is graduating from a US school prior to the Music Academy program, the student’s I-20 may be transferred to the Music Academy.
Late Application Submissions
Late application submissions will depend upon the program and/or audition availability. If interested in submitting a late application, please contact the Admissions Office prior to completing the application.
Applying to more than one program of study
Applicants may apply to more than one program (Vocal, Vocal Piano, Collaborative Piano, Instrumental, Solo Piano). An application and application fee is required for each individual program. Should you be accepted into two programs, you would need to select one in which to enroll.
Required Enrollment Materials
- Signed Enrollment Agreement
- $200 refundable Enrollment Security Deposit
- Enrollment Form (to collect important information including your emergency contacts, professional biography, headshot, etc.)
Timeline to receive admissions results
- Voice and vocal piano admissions results will be finalized in early December 2021
- Instrumental, collaborative piano, and solo piano admissions results will be finalized in March 2022
Audition & Repertoire Requirements
Audition Requirements for Strings, Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp, Solo Piano & Collaborative Piano
2022 audition and repertoire requirements will be announced by November 2021.
Audition Requirements for Voice & Vocal Piano