Summer Program
Eligibility: The summer program is for remote and underrepresented communities in classical music. VIA Academy currently accept students from grades 9-12 from the United States, including applications from students entering 9th grade and graduating high school. VIA Academy is free for all students accepted into the program.
Duration: 2 week program, hybrid with 1st week online and 2nd week in Miami, FL at New World Center Campus (home of the New World Symphony).
Tuition: Tuition, Travel/Housing/meals in Miami, and roundtrip Airfare will be provided by VIA Academy to all students accepted into the summer program.
Housing: All students will be staying at Alton Pointe, which is an apartment housing complex owned and operated by the New World Symphony and located on the New World Center Campus. Each student will be paired with a roommate and have access to free laundry machines (located in each unit) and full kitchens. Bed linens, pillows, towels, toiletries, and basic kitchenware (cups, plates, utensils) will be provided.
Meals: All meals will be catered and provided by VIA Academy while in Miami. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions as soon as possible.
Instruments: For this coming Summer 2025, the summer program will be for Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, and Tuba. Currently, space is very limited for Summer 2025 with a maximum number of 19 student spots. Make sure to apply early!
Program Details
Complete list of classes during VIA Academy’s Summer Program:
Mentoring sessions: 1-on-1 sessions between the student and their Teaching Artist. These sessions allow discussion on the student's next step towards future musical pathways, including working through any barriers that keep students from fulfilling their aspirations. They also help discover what the student is passionate about, how your passions can become a career, and how to make that career become a reality. Mentors often discuss college preparation as well.
Warm-up classes: Everyday class to develop students' technique and instrumental skills.
Private Lessons: Five lessons for each student over the two-week program. Our Teaching Artists have experience performing and teaching all across the world in the top orchestras and ensembles. To see Teaching Artists for your instrument, visit our Teaching Artists page HERE.
Sectionals: Group classes divided by strings/winds/brass instrumental family. A flexible masterclass-style class led by our Teaching Artists.
Lunch activities: Lunch activities allow students and faculty to connect further and learn from each other. These activities often create strong family-like bonds between our students and Teaching Artists.
Community Project Proposal Coachings: An initiative that helps align our students' passions with needs within their communities. Each student will identify their own passions and how that could fulfill a need within their own communities. The coachings will help students craft a project proposal by the end of the program, which will be submitted and reviewed by a VIA Academy panel to receive a $500 mini-grant and further mentorship after the program to put the winning project into action.
Guest Artist Classes: Guest artists presented classes centered on health/wellness of the mind and body, career pathways, networking, finding financial support, entrepreneurial skills, and other topics building further career skills. To see our list of guest artists, visit the guest artists page HERE.
Chamber Music Coachings: Each student is assigned a chamber music ensemble and received coachings throughout the week. Every chamber ensemble will perform at the end of the program.
The most updated information for applying is listed on the Apply page.