Honors Music Program
Young Artist Program
Young Musicians Program
Young Artist Academic Program
Young Artist Program
Alison Neely, Director
Carmen Mateiescu, Academic Coordinator
Ages 8-18
The Young Artist Program (YAP) is open to piano, voice, string and wind students, ages 8-18. Designed for the gifted and highly motivated student, this program provides a range of class offerings in music theory and ear training, music history, chamber music, jazz improvisation, and solo performance. In addition to these weekly classes, students participate in showcase solo and chamber music recitals. Master classes and workshops presented by distinguished performing artists are also included in the program. Students receive evaluations based on a specified curriculum each term and have a performance evaluation each spring. Upon recommendation by their teacher, students prepare to take the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music theory exam or the Advanced Placement Theory exam in the spring. Advanced theory studies continue with courses in counterpoint and analysis. The YAP Vocal Program is composed of courses in diction and vocal repertoire, as well as music theory and music history classes. Vocal students may also be enrolled in the Conservatory’s Chorale and will attend YAP classes beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Young Artist Program culminates with a Senior Project/Recital which is designed and presented by each senior with guidance from a faculty advisor.
Students attend the program for four hours on Saturdays, and schedules are customized according to each student’s particular class assignments. Elementary and middle school students usually attend the program from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and most high school students attend from 12:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., although some students may begin as early as 10:30 a.m. All classes are offered at the Princeton location.
Students must commit to the full nine-month program. No more than two absences per term are allowed. All students are required to study privately in weekly 45- or 60-minute private lessons. The program is open to students who study privately with Conservatory faculty as well as with teachers outside the Conservatory.
An audition is required for admission to the Young Artist Program. Students interested in auditioning should contact the program’s director, Alison Neely, at the main Conservatory office at 609-921-7104, or by e-mail at youngartists@rider.edu. Families will be asked to complete a registration form and pay an audition fee of $25 before the audition. Upon acceptance, the registration fee and tuition deposit will be due before the student is placed in the program. Audition materials and a brochure are available in the Conservatory office and may also be viewed and downloaded from the program’s Web site at www.ya-mp.org.
Number of weeks: 30
Tuition: $1,800 (includes materials, except for a one-time purchase of a music history textbook; additional fees will be charged if student takes the ABRSM theory exam or progresses to a new theory level; private lesson tuition not included.)
Young Musicians Program
Alison Neely, Director
Carmen Mateiescu, Academic Coordinator
Elena Panova, Concerts Coordinator
Ages 8-18
The Young Musicians Program offers music theory classes, music history classes, and chamber music classes to students who are interested in broadening their musical studies. Students enrich their musical education and have the fun of playing music in ensembles with other students of different ages and levels.
Young Musicians Program students attend music history and theory classes on Saturdays with members of the Young Artist Program. Students also attend chamber music classes, which may be scheduled on Saturday or at another time during the week. Chamber ensembles are formed based on the schedule for the various students involved and the playing level of each student. All classes meet for 28 sessions per year.
Young Musicians Program students perform solo repertoire in performance classes and Conservatory recitals and perform chamber repertoire in two showcase recitals. Students receive a performance evaluation each spring. Upon recommendation by their teacher, students prepare to take the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music theory exam or the Advanced Placement Theory exam in the spring. Advanced theory studies continue with courses in counterpoint and analysis.
Students attend the program for four hours on Saturdays, and schedules are customized according to each student’s particular class assignments. Elementary and middle school students usually attend the program from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and most high school students attend from 12:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., although some students may begin as early as 10:30 a.m. All classes are offered at the Princeton location.
Students must commit to the full nine-month program. No more than two absences per term are allowed. All students are required to study privately in weekly 45- or 60-minute private lessons. The program is open to students who study privately with Conservatory faculty as well as with teachers outside the Conservatory.
An audition is required for admission to the Young Musicians Program. Students interested in auditioning should contact the program’s director, Alison Neely, at the main Conservatory office at 609-921-7104, or by e-mail at youngartists@rider.edu. Families will be asked to complete a registration form and pay an audition fee of $25 before the audition. Upon acceptance, the registration fee and tuition deposit will be due before the student is placed in the program. Audition materials and a brochure are available in the Conservatory office and may also be viewed and downloaded from the program’s Web site at www.ya-mp.org.
Number of weeks: 30
Tuition: $1,500 (includes materials, except for a one-time purchase of a music history textbook; additional fees will be charged if student takes the ABRSM theory exam or progresses to a new theory level; private lesson tuition not included.)
Young Artist Academic Program
Alison Neely, Director
Carmen Mateiescu, Academic Coordinator
Ages 8-18
The Young Artist Academic Program is a non-performance oriented academic program in music theory and music history that meets for 1-1/2 hours each Saturday in Princeton. Students who wish to enroll need not audition but are accepted based on the private teacher’s recommendation and on space availability. Students attend these classes with members of the Young Artist Program and Young Musicians Program. Upon recommendation by their teacher, students will take the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music theory exam in the spring. Students may also prepare for the Advanced Placement exam in music theory and later continue with courses in counterpoint and analysis.
YAAP students attend the program for 1-1/2 hours on Saturdays. Students’ schedules vary, according to each student’s particular level and class assignments. Elementary and middle school students usually attend the program from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and most high school students attend from 12:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., although some students may begin as early as 10:30 a.m. All classes are offered at the Princeton location.
Information is available in the Conservatory office and may also be viewed and downloaded from the program’s Web site at www.ya-mp.org.
Number of weeks: 30
Tuition: $900 (includes materials, except for a one-time purchase of a music history textbook; additional fees will be charged if student takes the ABRSM theory exam or progresses to a new theory level.)
Young Artist and Young Musicians Faculty
Chamber Music Faculty
Diana Charos-Reilly
Eric Houghton
Eunju Joung Kim
Patricia Landy
Suzanne Lehrer
Craig Levesque
Alison Neely
Flora Newberry
Elena Panova
Galina Prilutskaya
Kyu-Jung Rhee
Dauri Shippey
Rita Shklar
Kevin Willois
Music History Faculty
Craig Levesque
Carmen Mateiescu
Marvin Rosen
Music Theory Faculty
Michael Green
Craig Levesque
Teresa Lim
Carmen Mateiescu
Improvisation Faculty
Tara Shingle Buzash
Ben Cahill
Dan Perez
Click here for faculty bios
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Westminster Conservatory of Music - (609) 921-7104 - wccConserv@rider.edu
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