Summer Intensive Program: Intermediate and Senior Strings
July 2-4 & 6-10, 2026
The Intermediate & Senior Strings Summer Intensive offers a dynamic and immersive 8-day program for dedicated young violinists, violists, cellists, and double bassists. With a strong emphasis on technique, musicianship, and artistic development, this program provides a fun and inspiring environment for students to refine their skills and elevate their playing. Led by experienced faculty and special guests, participants will engage in focused training designed to foster significant musical growth.
Intermediate: RCM Level 5+ | Senior: RCM Level 9+
Participants will take part daily in technique classes, masterclasses, a string orchestra, and chamber music. They will also receive a minimum of three individual lessons and two coaching sessions with a professional pianist. Registrants must submit a repertoire list of recently studied and/or performed solo and chamber works. Intermediate & Senior Strings students should arrive with one solo work that is prepared for performance, and one that is a “work-in-progress”. PDFs of chamber music will be sent a few weeks before the beginning of the Intensive.
Bursary application deadline: June 1, 2026
Registration deadline: Extended to June 14, 2026
Learn more
How to Register
Online registration requires payment in full. Payment by credit card will incur a 3.23% convenience fee. If you do not wish to incur this fee, please contact our office for other payment methods.
Please note that a video of a current piece will be required* as part of the registration. This video is not an audition, it will be used to place students in chamber ensembles according to age and ability. Your registration is not complete until we have received this video. If you have difficulty uploading your video below, you may email it to jzhong[at]vcm.bc.ca.
*Returning students and current students of listed Conservatory SSI faculty are not required to provide a video.
Fees and Deadlines
Early Bird Fee: $725 + $33 application fee and Library Resource Fee*
After May 1, 2026: $800 + $55 application fee and Library Resource Fee*
Early Bird registration deadline: May 1, 2026
Final registration deadline has been extended June 14, 2026
*A 1% Library Resource Fee is added to all Community School registrations to support the Victoria Conservatory Music Library and Archives, which is free to all students and the public. The library is in Room 113 and available online.
Some bursary assistance may be available. Applicants must comply with all deadlines and requirements. Late applicants will not be considered for financial assistance and additional application fees may apply.
Dates and Daily Schedule
July 2-4 & 6-10, 2026
Classes run daily 9:00am-4:30pm with breaks and time for private practice. Each student will be assigned their own practice room. There will be an orientation at 8:30am on the first day of the program, July 2, 2026 in Alix Goolden Performance Hall. There is no programming on July 5, 2026.
Sample Daily Schedule
9:00-9:50am: Technique Class/Cello Ensemble/Viola Ensemble
9:50-10:00am: Break
10:00-10:50am: String Orchestra
10:50-11:00am: Break
11:00am-12:15pm: Lesson/Coaching with pianist/Practice
12:15-1:00pm: Lunch
1:00-2:20pm: Lesson/Coaching with pianist/Practice
2:20-2:30pm: Break
2:30-3:30pm: Chamber music coaching
3:30-4:30pm: Masterclass
Location
All programs will take place onsite at the Victoria Conservatory of Music (900 Johnson Street) in downtown Victoria.
Faculty
Müge Büyükçelen, Co-Artistic Director, Violin
Brian Yoon, Co-Artistic Director, Cello
Jeremy Potts, Violin
Natasha Galitzine, Viola
Robert Holliston, Pianist
Jennifer Mitchell, Pianist
Special Guests
Hannah Addario-Berry, Cello
Karen Gerbrecht, Violin
Travis Short, Luthier
Faculty subject to change.
Concerts
Strings Summer Intensive Student Concerts
Thursday, July 9, 2:30pm | Alix Goolden Performance Hall | By donation
Friday, July 10, 2:30pm | Alix Goolden Performance Hall | By donation
The Fine Print
Please note: all fees must be paid in full by the registration deadline (excluding those waiting on the result of their bursary application).
Online registration requires payment in full. Payment by credit card will incur a convenience fee. If you do not wish to incur this fee, please contact our office for other payment methods.
Those awaiting acceptance (where applicable) or the results of their bursary application are encouraged to contact us directly to register.
Contact
Registration inquiries:
Victoria Conservatory of Music Front Desk
250.386.5311 | info[at]vcm.bc.ca
Program inquiries:
strings.classical[at]vcm.bc.ca