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APPLICATIONS FOR 2026
ARE NOW OPEN!

2026 Dates

June 21–July 18

Center Stage Strings was founded by renowned violinist and U-M Professor Danielle Belen to develop the talents of serious young classical music students in the areas of solo and chamber music performance. The natural beauty of the campus surroundings and the music intertwine in this four-week long institute to create a unique summer experience. Students are expected to stay for the entire four weeks.

The young musicians chosen to participate will have a unique opportunity to focus purely on developing their talents without the distractions of normal, everyday life. Private lessons, daily technique class and a host of performance opportunities are available to our young artists. All CSS students will study and perform chamber music, rehearsing daily and coaching with faculty members multiple times each week.

Players with a heightened level of experience in chamber music may choose to audition for Accelerated Chamber Music. These groups will be expected to complete full works in a more intensive environment. Students are selected from a competitive pool of applicants and there are a limited number of spots.

In addition to the student-driven coursework of Center Stage Strings, there are also Guest Artist Recitals, Faculty Concerts and Masterclasses presented by world class artists and teachers.

Age Eligibility
Center Stage Strings accepts applications from students ages 13-26*. Minors aged 13-17 stay in residence halls, while students who are 18 and over (by the start of the session) reside in on-campus adult housing.

*Applicants under the age of 13 may be considered on an individual basis. Please contact mpulse@umich.edu with questions related specifically to age eligibility and housing for that age group.

Tuition: $5250, including room and board

Components of Center Stage Strings

  • Private lessons (two-45 minute lessons per week)

  • Technique Classes daily

  • Faculty Concerts

  • Masterclasses

  • Guest Artist Recitals

  • Performance Opportunities

  • Chamber Music

  • ‘Complete Musician’ professional development

  • Public Speaking

  • Community Engagement Performances

  • Music Theory/Score Study

  • College Application and Audition Preparation

ADVANCED OFFERINGS

  • Spotlight Recital – an advanced opportunity for select young artists to curate and perform a complete solo recital, chosen by audition recordings and repertoire lists shared during the application process. Two to three students will be invited to focus their time at CSS around the preparation of a 60-75 minute professional-level recital advertised to the public. No additional audition is required for consideration.

Day in the Life of a CSS Student

A dynamic balance of solo practice and chamber music lies at the heart of our program, empowering every aspiring musician to thrive. At CSS, front and center is the pursuit of a DYNAMIC and PRODUCTIVE practice room — a transformation that continues well beyond your time at camp.

We have constructed everything about Center Stage Strings to be about YOU, from the daily schedule, lessons, technique classes and chamber music, to concerts and even recreational activities like kayaking and exploring downtown college life in one of the top college towns in the country.

  • A typical daily schedule:

    7:30 - 8 AM Breakfast in the residence hall cafeteria

    8-8:45 - Solo Practice

    8:45 - 9:30 AM - Technique Class

    9:45 AM - 12:15 PM - Individual practice / Private lesson/ Chamber music

    12:15 PM - Lunch

    1:15 - 5:00 PM - Individual Practice/Private Lesson / Chamber music

    5:30-6:30 PM - Dinner

    7:00 PM - Concert / Masterclass / Evening Recreational activities

  • Yes, absolutely. There will be several types of opportunities to perform solo and/or chamber music, based on teacher recommendation. Performances range from Masterclasses and less formal Studio Classes, to outreach performances in the community, evening Showcases, and the Friday Night Young Artist series, in which many of our outstanding students are selected to perform in one of our beautiful recital halls. Additionally, some students will be chosen to participate in side-by-side rehearsals and/or concerts with faculty and guest artists.

  • Yes! We will be in one of the most beautiful parts of the country – we will enjoy sightseeing, swimming, and playing outdoor games. One of the highlights of the summer is our kayak trip down the gorgeous Huron River. There will also be a movie night, ping pong and all kinds of other activities.

  • The way we present ourselves to audiences, both on and off stage, is essential to building a long and successful career. At Center Stage, we call this becoming a Complete Musician.

    Developing your ability to speak to an audience and grow as an engaging performer is built directly into your curriculum. And while these opportunities are designed to support — not interrupt — your focus on practice and artistic development, learning to present yourself effectively and professionally to colleagues, donors, employers, mentors, and audiences is absolutely vital.

    Students who have already begun stepping into the professional world tell us this aspect of CSS is one of the most valuable and memorable parts of their summer. It’s never too early to build these skills!

Apply

Begin Application

Applications for 2026 are now open!

IMPORTANT: Please note that once you create your Acceptd profile, you’ll need to search for “MPulse” in the directory to start your application. You will be taken to the MPulse page where you can select Center Stage Strings and move through the application.

You will also be asked to pay a non-refundable Application Fee of $75.

You may be asked to pay the application fee first, so you can refer to all the information below about Audition Requirements listed below.

*Please note you can revisit your application as many times as needed, however, all of the items listed above are due by February 1, 2026 for the priority deadline (see below for timeline).  The application will automatically save as your fill in your application. 

Application Materials

If applying for the Accelerated Chamber Music program, please see here for additional application requirements.

  • All audition videos must include the following:

    Audition Piece 1

    • A movement of a concerto (or showpiece of comparable difficulty)

    Audition Piece 2

    • A contrasting work. Bach would be acceptable as a contrasting work, or a slow movement of the same concerto. We also encourage that this contrasting piece be a work by an underrepresented composer. Note: At least one of these pieces should be performed with accompaniment. Both pieces should be performed from memory (unless contrasting piece is a sonata or a contemporary piece). Audio and picture quality of your video are important (see guidelines below).

    Audition Piece 3

    VIDEO RECORDING GUIDELINES

    You may submit multiple videos

    • Make sure that the auditioning student’s face is clearly visible, with their upper body near the camera

    • Ensure that the background of the video is simple, uncluttered, and not too bright (e.g., don’t stand in front of a window).

    • Place the microphone close to the auditioning student and away from the piano.

  • Record a Personal Statement video. In your Personal Statement video, please elaborate on the following prompts:

    1. Speak about why you are passionate about music.

    2. Share something interesting about yourself.

    3. Discuss why you want to study at MPulse Center Stage Strings.

    Your spoken Personal Statement Video should be 3 minutes or less.

    The Personal Statement Video should be submitted as a separate file from the audition video.

  • Upload a document with a list of solo and chamber works studied in the last 5 years.

    1. Upload one color headshot

    2. If possible, please also provide a photo of you with your instrument for professional promotion

    3. Headshots do not have to be professionally taken, but should be clear and recent.

    4. Headshots should be front-facing, as they will be used for ID purposes.

Application Details

Priority Application Deadline
(highly recommended): 
February 1, 2026

Priority Admissions Email Notification:
February 16, 2026

Deposit/decision confirmation due from Priority Applicants: February 23, 2026

Applications will remain open until the program is full. Rolling application submissions will be reviewed on a weekly basis for CSS through April 15, but space is limited. Priority Applications are highly recommended **

For priority consideration and notification, all application and audition materials must be received by the priority deadline above.

Admissions decisions will not be given by phone.

**Students applying after the Feb. 1st Priority Deadline will be considered for acceptance, however please note that this year only 16 string quartets will be formed to participate in our quartet program. Students invited to CSS beyond those numbers (64 students) will still have a dynamic chamber music experience, but will not be guaranteed a string quartet position.

Awards

  • Center Stage Strings awards merit scholarships to outstanding students. Consideration for these scholarships is automatic for applications received by the deadline.

  • Attention violinists with and without previous experience playing viola!  Interested in expanding your skills through chamber music and receiving up to a 25% scholarship towards your CSS tuition? If accepted as a violinist, you can be considered for a viola chamber music scholarship, play in a fantastic group and add to your skillset for the rest of your career. Your solo violin experience at Center Stage Strings would be the same (private lessons, technique classes, etc) with the benefit of playing viola in a string quartet with other high level players.

    Details of an instrument (viola) loan can be discussed upon acceptance and consideration for these scholarships on a case by case basis.

    “As a violinist, playing viola feels like doing a deep cleanse of my technique; it reveals new layers of nuance in bow control and intonation. At Center Stage, I got to workshop these skills within the context of chamber music, all while gaining a new appreciation for the violist’s role in a string quartet.” Will Thain, violinist, 2021

  • A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances due to the pandemic. To be considered you must upload your financial aid materials by the application deadline as part of your application.  This includes:

    • Monthly Expenses

    • Previous Year’s Tax Return

    • Statement of Need 

Questions?

For more information regarding the MPulse Summer Performing Arts Institutes, please visit smtd.umich.edu/MPulse

If you have any artistic or repertoire related questions, please email: info@centerstagestrings.com

If you have any logistical, payment-related questions, or issues with the application process, please email: mpulse@umich.edu