Get a Head Start on Your Dreams!
Are you a high school student with big academic or artistic goals? This is your chance to take a major step forward! Our Pre-College Summer Program is packed with opportunities designed just for you:
🎵 Discover College-Level Learning
Get a taste of what it’s like to study music at the college level alongside your peers.
🎨 Elevate Your Skills and Unleash Your Creativity
Fine-tune your technique, explore your artistic potential and let your creativity shine!
👩‍🏫 Learn from the Best
Work closely with renowned faculty and instructors who are leaders in their fields.
đź’° Earn a Scholarship to Rider University
Qualify for an annually renewable $2,000 scholarship (up to $8,000 total value) to Rider University. Some restrictions apply. Learn more about the pre-college scholarship opportunity.
2025 Pre-College Programs
All pre-college summer programs take place on Rider University's Lawrenceville campus and are designed as residential experiences. Participants are required to stay on campus, as commuting options are not available.
High School Solo Pianist Week
June 22-27, 2025
This workshop offers the serious young pianist an enriching and inspiring musical experience, exposing each participant to the artistic and practical aspects of solo performance. Program highlights include: daily private lessons, studio classes, and lectures with Westminster artist faculty, learning effective techniques for dealing with performance anxiety and memorization, attending a seminar in applying and auditioning for colleges of music, performing in the final recital and developing long-term friendships with others passionate about the piano and music.
Vocal Institute
June 29-July 4, 2025
Under the direction of Westminster Choir College's teaching artist faculty, this program draws students from across the country and around the world. All students will sing in the Institute Choir. Participants will receive training in conducting, choral performance and literature, interpretation of solo repertoire, technique, and voice science.
Organ Institute
July 6-11, 2025
Open to organists and experienced pianists, this program focuses on individual organ instruction and coaching, with classes in organ history, building styles, organ literature and sacred music. Trips to live performances and "organ crawls" are included.
Game Design Academy
July 6-11, 2025
Rider University’s Game Design Academy introduces high school students to the skills and tools used to develop digital games in a professional creative environment. Students will work with industry-standard software on the basics of digital design and game logic programming as they work through the complete process of developing a playable game that can be shared with family and friends. Concepts in system design, digital art and interaction design will be learned through hands-on creation.
High School Solo Vocal Artist
July 6-19, 2025
An opportunity for dedicated young classical singers to explore the many facets of developing their art. The program provides personalized hands-on instruction, working daily with the voice faculty of Westminster Choir College.
Musical, Theatre, and Film Institute
July 20-August 2, 2025
Experience what it is like being a student in the nationally recognized programs in Acting and Musical Theatre at Rider University. Through focused group and private sessions students will refine their skills in acting, singing, and dancing. Lead by faculty of Rider University, all participants will benefit from professional training by working with and learning from renowned, distinguished faculty with experience on Broadway and National Tours as well as TV, commercials and film.