New for 2026!

Expanded opportunities for young artists with a flexible new format: a full 6-week session or two 3-week options with the Strings Program now spanning six weeks, and the Piano Program spanning three weeks.

Areas of study

Areas of Study

Table Of Contents
  1. Program Dates
  2. Application Deadline
  3. Program Areas
  4. Program Details
  5. Faculty
  6. Costs and Financial Aid

Program Dates

Full Session: June 21 – August 2, 2026 (strings only)
Session 1: June 21 – July 12, 2026 (strings only)
Session 2: July 12 – August 2, 2026 (strings and piano)

Application Deadline

February 15, 2026

Program Areas

STRINGS

Open to violinists, violists, and cellists ages 14–24 (or college-enrolled), this immersive summer program offers daily coachings, private lessons, and weekly performances with world-class faculty on beautiful Madeline Island. Choose the full 6-week session or one of two 3-week options to fit your summer schedule. Pre-formed quartets are encouraged to apply.

PIANO

For advanced pianists ages 14–24 (or college-enrolled), this three-week program offers daily coachings, collaborative rehearsals with strings, and frequent performance opportunities with world-class faculty on beautiful Madeline Island. Pre-formed string and piano trios, quartets, and quintets are encouraged to apply.

Fellowships

Madeline Island Chamber Music offers fully-funded fellowships to a select group of collegiate-level string and piano students who demonstrate outstanding artistry and a commitment to chamber music. In addition to full participation in all program activities, Fellowship recipients perform in high-profile concerts and receive individualized mentorship, including potential collaborative opportunities with our world-class faculty.

Emerging Artists Quartet Residency

A professional development opportunity for an early-career string quartet. Fellows coach chamber music alongside MICM faculty in a mentored teaching setting, perform a featured concert, and lead community engagement on Madeline Island and in Bayfield, WI. This opportunity includes a paid week-long performing and teaching residency in the fall in Minneapolis including a featured concert.

Program Details

Curriculum

  • 1 hour of chamber music coaching per day
  • 2 hours of chamber music rehearsal per day
  • 2 hours of scheduled individual practice per day
  • Weekly 60-minute solo repertoire lesson
  • Weekly 30-minute chamber repertoire lesson with members of ensembles-in-residence or piano faculty
  • Faculty presentations on rehearsal techniques, artistic life, and career paths

Performance Opportunities

  • Weekly public concerts (each group performs 1–2 movements)
  • Weekly master classes with guest ensembles
  • Community concert appearances (Strings participants only)

Session Highlights

  • Full Session (6 Weeks)
    • Violin, Viola, and Cello
    • String Fellowships and Financial Aid available
    • String Quartet study for all participants
    • String and Piano Chamber Music study during Session 2
  • Session 1 (3 Weeks)
    • Violin, Viola, and Cello
    • Financial Aid available
    • String Quartet study for all participants
  • Session 2 (3 Weeks)
    • Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano
    • Piano Fellowships and Financial Aid (string and piano) available
    • String and Piano Chamber Music study in addition to String Chamber Music study

Faculty

Session 1 Faculty
Session 2 Faculty

Costs and Financial Aid

Application Fee

Before December 15

Individuals: $75

Pre-Formed Groups: $110

After December 15

Individuals: $125

Pre-Formed Groups: $175

Program Fees

6-week session

Tuition: $6,000

Room & Board: $3,200

Total*: $9,200

3-week session

Tuition: $3,300

Room & Board: $2,200

Total*: $5,500

*Includes tuition, housing, and meals. Transportation to the program is not included.

Financial Assistance

Financial aid is granted to students according to demonstrated financial need. On average, awards cover 50% of program fees. Applicants must complete supplementary questions within the application and submit relevant tax documents to be eligible for financial aid.

Collegiate-level applicants seeking merit-based scholarships should indicate they would like to be considered for a Fellowship.

Fellowships

Madeline Island Chamber Music offers fully-funded fellowships to a select group of collegiate-level string and piano students who demonstrate outstanding artistry and a commitment to chamber music. In addition to full participation in all program activities, Fellowship recipients perform in high-profile concerts and receive individualized mentorship, including potential collaborative opportunities with our world-class faculty.

Applications open Nov 1

60%

of Madeline Island participants receive financial assistance