上海国际音乐夏令营
International Music Festival and Camp in Shanghai
Soundbox Fellowship Program on Tour
Aug 2–13, 2026
YueJi Academy and Soundbox Ventures launch the International Music Festival and Camp in Shanghai from August 2–13, 2026.
This residency in Shanghai (based in Qingpu) is an evolution of the Soundbox Fellowship Program in Sarasota, serving composers and performers as well as singers in a vocal program as organized by YueJi Academy.
Looking for summer opportunities? Come develop your own artist residency: study with resident artists, audit the seminars presented by faculty to composers and performers, and attend all festival concerts as a Festival Associate! Open to instrumentalists of all ages with priority for those between 10–35. See details and application below.
Become a festival associate and join our festival program with an artist residency and program of study that you design! All in the backdrop of exploring Shanghai, a city rich in history and international cultures.
Attending as a Festival Associate
In spirit with our mission to empower musicians who are also thoughtful curators and advocates, Soundbox is inviting current musician students to attend the festival as associates. As an associate, you may:
Access all festival events (auditing seminars from the Composers and Performers program and attending concerts)
Take 3 lessons and receive one-on-one mentorship with a resident faculty artist, on solo and orchestra repertoire such as excerpts*
Participate in performance opportunities via studio/play-through classes and masterclasses**
Work in a personal designated lodging space (a retreat for practicing, project planning, and more)
Enjoy the artistic company of faculty artists and other participants
Explore Shanghai on your own, a wonderful opportunity to engage with local and international cultures and cuisines!
Festival associates may also request additional lessons (at an additional cost).
All participants must make their own arrangements to travel to and from Shanghai for this program. YueJi Academy will provide logistics for travel from all transit hubs in Shanghai (airports or major train stations) to the campus in Qingpu.
Housing is provided on campus. Each participant has their own room.
*Please see the faculty page for a list of faculty artists in residence.
**Please note that performance opportunities will vary depending on your instrument and that you will be assigned accordingly in consultation with your assigned faculty mentor, such as for studio class, mock auditions, and masterclasses.
Eligibility
This program is suited for instrumentalists (piano, violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, and clarinet) who are at various stages of study, ranging from ages 10 through 35. Whether you are a gifted young performer or a beginner or a professional seeking an artist retreat and networking opportunity, there is a place for you in this festival! Our world-class faculty artists and concert events are at the heart of this program.
Interested prospective students under the age of 18 should consider attending with a parent or legal guardian and should reach out directly to sfp-shanghai@soundboxventures.org in order to discuss accommodation arrangements and potential liabilities.
Costs & Financial Aid
The full cost of the program for international (students not based in mainland China) is $3,500 USD. The maximum program cost to an international student is $1,750 USD. This includes housing. Your final cost can be reduced by applying for need-based financial aid.
All applicants are eligible for additional financial aid but must apply to demonstrate financial need. A financial aid application will be sent to all successfully admitted applicants.
All mainland China-based students must apply and inquire about the program costs directly with YueJi Academy. Please email sfp-shanghai@soundboxventures.orgfor more information.
Applying
Applications are received on a rolling basis.
Required application materials are as follows:
Biographical information (full name, date of birth, contact information, instrument/composer, passport nationality) - these have no bearing on the merits of your application
Visa requirement (check here)
CV/Resume
Optional: performance or works sample (please provide a link to a recording)
Optional: artistic statement
Financial aid application request
Application fee ($20 USD)
Other programs
The Soundbox Fellowship Program is on tour from Sarasota, FL! Soundbox brings its flagship contemporary music workshop program to Shanghai and launches a pilot program for performers.
Location
All lessons, coachings, group classes, studio classes, competitions, and most rehearsals will take place at a school campus in Qingpu District, a suburb of Shanghai. Performance and recording events will take place at venues of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. All participants will have some time to explore the city of Shanghai during the program.
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For this program, composers may apply to submit the following for CD recording:
a recently completed short work or movement for solo or small chamber ensemble, OR
an already-premiered work or movement for solo or small chamber ensemble.
Works must be around or under 10 minutes in length. The theme of the CD is a multi-volume “diary of glimpses in Shanghai” featuring the experimentation and voices of each composer participant. The disc will be released by a recording label in China through Soundbox Ventures’ partners and host organization.
The curriculum also features:
4 lessons in the writing and preparation of scores for recording, with option to request additional lessons (additional fees apply)
group discussions on important business skills, applications for schools or grant programs
access to open rehearsals from the instrumentalist programs
an introduction to presentation, advocacy, and engagement skills session.
Faculty include Sean Friar and Marc Migó who will lead other composition faculty, others to be announced closer to the dates.
Instrumentation can include up to 5 of the following:
up to 2 violins
up to 2 violas
up to 2 cellos
1 piano
1 flute
1 clarinet
Application Timeline
Application Period: Jan 3–Feb 28, 2026
Application Deadline: Feb 28, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Application Results: Mar 13, 2026
Matriculation Deadline: Mar 27, 2026
Application Fee: $20
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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–Mar 15, 2026
Application Deadline: Mar 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Application Results: Mar 23, 2026
Matriculation Deadline: Apr 3, 2026
Application Fee: $50 USD
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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,
chamber music experience with reading and coaching on ensemble technique,
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–Mar 15, 2026
Application Deadline: Mar 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Application Results: Mar 23, 2026
Matriculation Deadline: Apr 3, 2026
Application Fee: $65 USD
Traveling to China
In addition to tuition and residency fees, all applicants must be aware that they are responsible for additional costs listed below, including flights to and from China and obtaining a Chinese visa.
Accepted participants will receive a letter of invitation and further directions on applying for visas.
