Soundbox Fellowship Program for Performers: August 2–13, 2026
Soundbox Ventures debuts the Soundbox Fellowship Program in Shanghai—an electrifying first project abroad that celebrates the shared language of music beyond geography and words. For the first time, a program is introduced for performers, bringing together instrumentalists and composers in one residency.
Performers can choose from two tracks.
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The curriculum for instrumentalists in this program includes:
4 lessons on repertoire featured in orchestra auditions around the world, including solo works and commonly requested orchestral excerpts,
group classes on essential section and leadership skills,
mock audition with feedback from faculty panelists,
masterclass opportunity.
Alongside composers and other instrumentalists, all participants will attend an introduction to presentation, advocacy, and engagement skills session.
Faculty include Soundbox artists who represent orchestral institutions such as Staatskapelle Dresden, Auckland Philharmonia, Opera Philadelphia, and more. Exact personnel to be listed closer to the dates.
The following instruments will be accepted:
violin (concertmaster focus)
violin (section focus)
viola
cello
bass
flute
clarinet
Application Timeline
Application Period: Jan 3–Feb 20, 2026
Application Deadline: Feb 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Application Results: Mar 6, 2026
Matriculation Deadline: Mar 20, 2026
Application Fee: $50 USD
Tuition: $1350 USD (automatically reduced from $2250)
Residency Fee: $650 (not eligible for financial aid)
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The curriculum for instrumentalists in this program includes:
3 lessons on repertoire commonly required for conservatory program auditions and competitions
2 studio classes focused on building performance experience, constructive criticism, and audition etiquette,
mock audition/competition for each instrument group (piano, strings, winds),
public concert opportunity for winners of the mock audition/competition, receiving a recording of the performance.
Alongside composers and other instrumentalists, all participants will attend an introduction to presentation, advocacy, and engagement skills session.
Faculty include Soundbox artists who hold faculty positions at universities and institutions throughout the United States and Europe, who are also alumni of schools including Juilliard, New England Conservatory, Curtis, Peabody, Yale, and more. Exact personnel to be listed closer to the dates.
The following instruments will be accepted:
violin
viola
cello
bass
piano
flute
clarinet
Application Timeline
Application Period: Jan 3–Feb 20, 2026
Application Deadline: Feb 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Application Results: Mar 6, 2026
Matriculation Deadline: Mar 20, 2026
Application Fee: $65 USD
Tuition: $1900 USD (automatically reduced from $2850)
Residency Fee: $650 (not eligible for financial aid)
Program Focus
The SFP for Performers delivers focused preparation for auditions, competitions, and orchestral careers. With faculty from premiere conservatories and orchestras worldwide, you’ll join a community where shared experience fuels growth and artistic confidence.
For this program, performers may apply to an:
Orchestra Academy: an intensive study driven by lessons focusing on solo works and excerpts commonly featured in orchestral auditions and group classes on leadership and section playing skills, culminating in a mock audition/competition, OR
Audition/Competition Intensive: this program is structured around an accelerated curriculum of lessons, group and studio classes that culminate in a competition; winners of the competition have the opportunity to perform in a live concert at a venue affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and receive a recording of their live performance.
The following instruments will be accepted for SFP for Performers: violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, clarinet.
Application Timeline
Application Period: Jan 3–Feb 20, 2026
Application Deadline: Feb 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Application Results: Mar 6, 2026
Matriculation Deadline: Mar 20, 2026