OVERTURE MUSIC INTENSIVE
Great chamber music belongs to everyone.
Overture Music Intensive trains gifted young musicians from around the world, regardless of means, and brings them to the stage of Carnegie Hall.
For Students & Families
World-class training, mentorship, and performance experience.
The Summer Program remains OMI’s flagship education pathway: chamber music study, guided rehearsal, faculty mentorship, masterclasses, and a culminating performance experience in New York City.
Explore the ProgramSupport Our Mission
Help OMI bring chamber music into more communities.
Your support helps present concerts, workshops, mentorship experiences, community outreach, venue partnerships, artist support, and responsible nonprofit growth.
Get InvolvedOur Mission
More than a program.
A movement to make chamber music live again.
We believe chamber music has the power to break down barriers, dissolve prejudice, and bring people of every background together. OMI revives it as a living, inclusive art form, pairing world-class training for young artists with performances that bring music directly into communities.
OMI is dedicated to making chamber music accessible to all through world-class performance, education, and mentorships, and to fostering inclusive communities where artists and audiences inspire each other and grow together.
Excellence
World-class musicianship with human warmth.
OMI holds high artistic standards while making chamber music feel close, welcoming, and alive.
Access
Music in more rooms, not only formal halls.
Access can mean education, community presence, affordable events, clear invitation, and welcoming spaces. Avoid scholarship-first language unless board-approved.
Community
Artists and audiences inspiring one another.
Concerts, workshops, and benefit events become shared experiences among students, mentors, hosts, donors, volunteers, and listeners.
We believe chamber music has the power to break down barriers, dissolve prejudice, and bring people of every background together. OMI revives it as a living, inclusive art form, pairing world-class training for young artists with performances that bring music directly into communities.
OMI is dedicated to making chamber music accessible to all through world-class performance, education, and mentorships, and to fostering inclusive communities where artists and audiences inspire each other and grow together.Excellence
World-class musicianship with human warmth.
OMI holds high artistic standards while making chamber music feel close, welcoming, and alive.
Access
Music in more rooms, not only formal halls.
Access can mean education, community presence, affordable events, clear invitation, and welcoming spaces. Avoid scholarship-first language unless board-approved.
Community
Artists and audiences inspiring one another.
Concerts, workshops, and benefit events become shared experiences among students, mentors, hosts, donors, volunteers, and listeners.
What We Do
Our Programs
One flagship program is live today. New year-round initiatives extend OMI’s reach through concerts, workshops, community partnerships, venue relationships, fundraising performances, and responsible nonprofit growth.
Live · Artist Development
Summer Intensive
Intensive chamber music training, mentorship, guided rehearsal, masterclasses, and performance preparation in New York City.
Learn MoreYear-Round · Community Engagement
Concerts, workshops, and shared spaces
A series of intimate chamber music events in homes, schools, residences, libraries, galleries, venues, and community rooms.
Explore Community OutreachLaunching 2026
Performing Arts × Technology
OMI can explore digital documentation, artist storytelling, recorded excerpts, and online engagement that helps the organization reach new audiences.
Partner with OMIUpcoming Events
Hear OMI live throughout the year.
Use the events page to show OMI’s range: Concerts, community performances, workshops, salons, and Summer Program showcases.
Concerts
OMI Summer Program Gala
Carnegie Hall Weill Hall · Showcasing OMI Summer Program students and faculty.
Community
Community Concert
[insert venue] · A welcoming chamber music program with a local partner.
Artist TALK
Artist Talk · Dov Scheindlin
Queens College Aaron Copland School · An interactive session for OMI Summer Program students and families.
The Next Chapter
OMI is growing from a summer intensive into a year-round nonprofit platform.
Attend
Concerts and gatherings
Show an active calendar of benefit events, salons, community concerts, workshops, and artist talks.
View EventsHost
Bring OMI to your space
Invite OMI into a residence, school, gallery, library, church, hospital, or cultural venue.
Host a ConcertSupport
Fund the work behind the music
Help support concerts, workshops, artists, education, outreach, and operations.
Support OMIJoin
Volunteer or partner
Be a par for event support, venue outreach, media, and community relationships.
VolunteerFeatured Pathway
Host a concert with OMI.
For a year-round nonprofit, hosting can be just as important as applying. OMI can grow through benefit salons, community concerts, school workshops, artist talks, and private or institutional gatherings.
- Benefit chamber evenings in homes, galleries, clubs, residences, or donor spaces.
- Community concerts at libraries, schools, cultural centers, and shared spaces.
- Workshops or artist talks for students, families, and first-time listeners.
- Fundraising events that introduce new supporters to OMI’s mission.
Flagship Education Program
Summer Intensive — New York City
A rare opportunity to study world-class classical music in the heart of NYC, centered on chamber music coaching, guided rehearsal, masterclasses, mentorship, and performance preparation.
When applications are not officially open, route families toward program information and the interest list rather than using “Apply Now.”
Stay Connected
Follow the year-round work as it grows.
Invite OMI to your space, attend a performance, volunteer at an event, partner with the organization, or support the next stage of responsible nonprofit growth.
Our Mission
OMI is dedicated to making chamber music accessible to all through world-class performance, education, and mentorships, and to fostering inclusive communities where artists and audiences inspire each other and grow together. By providing world-class musical opportunities for students outside the music major track, guiding them toward the discovery and cultivation of their individual artistic voices. Through mentorship by acclaimed musicians affiliated with leading orchestras and conservatories, students develop not only technical proficiency but also confidence in their musical capabilities.
As an international organization, OMI unites students from diverse cultural backgrounds, fostering an inspiring environment of communication, collaboration, and mutual inspiration. Through the study and performance of chamber music, we seek to encourage curiosity, facilitate intercultural communication, and promote a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
2026 OMI Faculty
Qianwen Shen
Founder / Artistic Director
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Mannes School of Music PREP Faculty
Ole Akahoshi
Masterclass Artist
Yale School of Music
Director of Yale Cello
Kayoung An
Piano Faculty
Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Faculty
Sam Boutris
Clarinet Faculty
International Concert Soloist
Leonard Fu
Masterclass Artist
Violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet
Juilliard College Violin Faculty
Katherine Fong
Violin Faculty
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Qianru Elaine He
Executive Assistant / Violin Faculty
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Victoria Mushkatkol
Masterclass Artist
Juilliard Pre-College Piano Faculty
Mo Mo
Cello Faculty
International Concert Soloist
Dov Scheindlin
Viola Faculty
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Yinfei Wang
Piano Faculty
New England Conservatory Pre-College Faculty
Jiawei Yan
Administrative Director
Viola Faculty
About Overture
Music Summer Intensive
The Overture Music Summer Intensive warmly invites aspiring violin, viola, cello, piano, and clarinet students aged 10 and above to join us in New York City for 11 days of intensive chamber music study, guided by world-class musicians and faculty from leading music institutions. Our distinguished teaching team includes members from renowned symphony orchestras and prestigious music conservatories, such as Benjamin Bowman (Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra) and Ole Akahoshi (Director of Yale Cellos at the Yale School of Music), among others.
Our teaching philosophy centers on nurturing students’ listening, collaboration, and communication skills through immersive chamber music study with our faculty members. Along with improving musical performance skills, we aim to inspire students to discover their unique voice and deepen their understanding of musicianship.
Held in the heart of New York City, OMI provides students a rare opportunity to experience world-class classical music education in an unparalleled environment. Students will have opportunities to visit top-tier New York institutions and music conservatories, and to perform in the final chamber music concert at Carnegie Hall. OMI is open to young musicians from around the world and is dedicated to providing premier guidance to talented students.
We look forward to meeting everyone!
Program Dates
July 22, 2026 to August 1, 2026
Application Requirements:
Aspiring musicians with a certain level of proficiency in piano, violin, viola, cello, or clarinet, aged 10 and above as of July 20, 2026.
Applicants under 12 years old must be accompanied by a parent. If the parent is unable to attend, please inform the organizer and discuss guardianship arrangements.
Applicants aged 12 and above who are confirmed by their parents to be capable of self-care may apply independently by signing a "Consent to Participate" form.
Application Fee:
50 USD per person
Application Deadline:
March 10, 2026
Results Announcement:
March 25, 2026
Audition Repertoire
Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello):
Scales:
Select a major and a minor scale, both in two or three octaves.Two contrasting pieces chosen by the applicant:
Choose two contrasting works from solo repertoire (concertos, sonatas, or other solo works) from different periods, styles, and techniques. One of the works must be from the Classical period (composers like Mozart, Haydn, Handel, Boccherini, etc.).
*It is recommended to consult with your teacher to select pieces that best represent your current highest level.
Piano:
Scale and arpeggio requirements:
One set of major and minor scales and arpeggios, each spanning four octaves with both hands moving in the same direction.Two contrasting pieces:
A first movement from a classical sonata;
Or a contrapuntal work by Bach.
Optional: one additional piece by the application’s choice.
Clarinet:
Age 10 -15:
Two Major Scales 2-3 octaves slurred;
Rose 32 Etudes No. 1, beginning to measure 16,
Rose 32 Etudes No. 9, beginning to measure 16 (Music available upon request).
Age 16 -18:
One etude of choice;
One solo piece of choice under 5 minutes (a section of a longer piece is acceptable).
Registration Guidelines
Video Recording Requirements
Video Quality:
The video must be steady, clear in both audio and visual quality, with synchronized sound and image. No editing allowed.
Dress Code:
Please wear formal attire for the recording.
Video Statement:
The video should clearly show the participant’s face, hands, and the full body of their instrument. At the beginning of the video, the applicant must introduce themselves in English. For example, "Hello, my name is Jack. I am 12 years old, and I play the violin."
Submission Guidelines:
Please name your files in the following format: Instrument + Age + Participant's Name + Piece + Composer (Example: Violin-12-Jack -A Major Violin Concerto 1st Movement-Mozart).
All videos must be uploaded individually; do not submit compressed files.
Once videos are submitted, they cannot be modified or replaced.
We strongly suggest that you upload your videos as “unlisted” on YouTube, or upload the files to Google Drive and share the link link with us.
Program Fees:
Tuition & Room and Board: USD $4,000.00
Off-campus Students: USD $3,000.00
Fee Includes:
Two one-on-one lessons.
Chamber music coachings with faculty members.
Daily guided rehearsals.
Concert performance at Carnegie Hall.
Masterclasses attendance.
Visits to Manhattan and New York City’s prestigious college institutions.
Certificate of program completion.
Room and board throughout the program.
Program Fees Deadline: April 1, 2026
Refund Policy:
In case of cancellation, the program fee may be refunded in 100% if cancelled before April 20, 2026; in 50% if cancelled before May 20, 2026, and in 20% if cancelled before June 20, 2026.
Optional Fees:
Participants may register for solo performances in masterclasses
limited availability
30 minutes per person
Fee: 100 USD per person
Contact Us
Do you have any questions about Overture Music Intensive? Please do not hesitate to leave us a message!