June 14-July 3, 2026

Seth Knopp and Mimi Hwang, Artistic Directors

For outstanding musicians ages 13-20
Strings, Woodwinds, Piano, Percussion, and Composition

About the Young Artists Program

One of the most beautiful aspects of any program for young artists is the passion and the trust that belong, in unique ways, to musicians just beginning to imagine what a life in music can be. The very first edition of Yellow Barn’s Young Artists Program was in 1997. It brought fifteen musicians, twenty years old and younger, to Yellow Barn for just a single week of intense work, but the excitement of a shared connection to music fueled their need to be in each other’s company for longer, and that small troupe of musicians asked me to extend their time together the following summer.

Almost three decades later, our YAP gives its musicians three weeks filled with chamber music organized in overlapping projects, a rich and challenging experience that asks participants to live a life with music as its primary focus, both artistically and practically.

Instrumentalists rehearse with both faculty members and peer musicians, perform two established works of the chamber music repertoire, premiere two new works by YAP composers, and perform a work by a Yellow Barn visiting composer. Rehearsing a varied repertoire throughout the program encourages a sense of artistic responsibility and independence, while daily chamber music coachings and frequent individual lessons help to guide participants and provide a safety net for their development.

Composition has been a fundamental component of YAP since its founding, and has become a model for programs at major conservatories and universities, as well as for other summer festivals. YAP composers are completely integrated into the program, collaborating with instrumentalists, including faculty members, to bring their work to life in performance.

Yellow Barn’s Young Artist Program promotes innocence in our work and imperfection in the ways that bring growth, defines goals as ever-deepening exploration, and embraces the process of learning and making and listening to music as the most fulfilling parts of our artistic lives.

—Seth Knopp, Artistic Director

Answers to FAQs

Where is Yellow Barn?
Yellow Barn is located in Putney, Vermont. Putney is 3.5 hours from New York City, and 2.5 hours from Boston.

How long is the Young Artists Program?
YAP is a three-week program. The 2026 program runs from June 14 through July 3.

What does the program include?
YAP provides an introduction to what a life in music can be, both artistically and practically:

—Five performances (two established works of chamber music, two premieres of works by YAP composers, and a work by a visiting composer), professionally recorded for future use
—Rehearsing and performing with a YAP faculty member
—Working directly with a visiting composer
—Daily chamber music coachings
—Individual lessons with YAP faculty members and visiting artists

What does the Young Artists Program offer to composers?
Fully integrated into the program, YAP composers receive:

—Two world premiere performances, professionally recorded for future use
—Daily rehearsals with ensembles to develop new works
—Coachings with YAP faculty members
—Daily composition seminars and lessons, including with visiting composers

What is the cost?
Tuition, room, and board: $3,500. Scholarship assistance is available based on financial need.

What are the audition requirements?
Instrumentalists: Applicants should prepare two works, or substantial movements from two different works, that make distinct technical and interpretive demands. String and wind instrument applicants must provide their own pianists according to repertoire needs.

Composers: Applicants should submit three recent scores, preferably with recordings.

Musicians must be at least 13 years old, and no older than 20 years old, on June 14, 2026.

Is a live audition required?
Live auditions are strongly encouraged. However, if you are unable to travel to a live audition location, video applications are acceptable.

2026 Application Deadlines

January 4—Live auditions Europe & UK
January 11—Live auditions US & Canada
January 11—Video auditions
January 11—Composer applications
March 1—Results announced

Live Audition Schedule

Fees & Application Information

Application Fee:

$75 (application fee increases by $10 after December 21 for Europe, or after December 28 for all other auditions)

Application fee is non-refundable and due with application.

Tuition, including room & board:

$3,500

Tuition is due in full by April 15, 2026, and non-refundable after May 1, 2026.

Yellow Barn has moved its online admissions process to Acceptd. Here’s why:

- Applicants can apply for a fee waiver, which we haven't been able to offer previously

- Applicants can change audition times themselves as often as needed

- Applicants do not have to collect letters of recommendation directly. Recommenders will use the Acceptd site to submit information.

- Applicants can switch programs without having to reenter application information

- Applicants can store information for future applications with any festival or school that uses the Acceptd platform.

If you have questions about how to apply for a fee waiver, or any other aspect of Acceptd, please contact Melody Lin, Director of Admissions, at melody@yellowbarn.org.

Live Audition Requirements

Applicants should prepare two works, or substantial movements from two different works, that make distinct technical and interpretive demands on you as a player. Live auditions are typically 20 minutes in length but may vary from audition to audition.

Strings and Winds: Audition selections can include duo sonatas or concertos, but must be presented with piano parts or orchestral reductions. For pieces with accompaniment, applicants must perform with their own pianists.

Percussion:

Video Audition Requirements

Live auditions are strongly encouraged. However, if you are unable to travel to a live audition location, video applications are acceptable. Applicants should submit a video recording of three works, or substantial movements from three works. For pieces with accompaniment, applicants must perform with their own pianists. Videos must be uncut and unedited.

2026 Young Artists Program Faculty

Violin
Meg Freivogel
Eunae Koh
Nicholas Mann

Viola
Jonathan Brown
Maria Lambros
Mai Motobuchi

Cello
Jean-Michel Fonteneau
Mimi Hwang
Raman Ramakrishnan

Piano
Anna Han
Qing Jiang
Seth Knopp

Percussion
Jihye Jung
Ayano Kataoka
Terry Sweeney

Composition
Stephen Coxe

Guest Composers
Katherine Balch
Lei Liang
Juri Seo