YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM
Gifted young musicians, from age 11 to post-graduate, are invited to participate in the Young Artists program, studying with an illustrious faculty on solo repertoire and chamber music. String participants will perform in thr NLMF Orchestra’s Festive Fourth! Concert concerts; collegiate level participants will also perform in the NLMF Opera orchestra under Guest Conductor Joseph Marcheso of Opera San José.
Young Artists are assigned chamber music works to prepare in advance their arrival at the festival, and ensembles are provided ample coaching to bring the works to performance level.
The NLMF is a performance program. Participants will play solo or chamber works multiple times in as many as 10 different cities, including children’s library concerts, and chamber music series in beautiful, historic venues. Professional collaborative pianists will be provided for solo performances, and for the Helen Bradach Zuponcic Concerto Competition. Frequent performances are of special value to young artists who are entering competitions and who will have concert dates to fulfill.
Full Session: June 29 – July 18, 2026
Tuition and Housing
$3500 for the 3-week session.
$100 application fee. (Applied toward tuition if accepted.)
Application Deadline: Extended to May 15, 2026
Instrumentalists and pianists are matched for chamber ensembles and receive daily coachings.
Each young artist is provided four or more individual lessons with our world-renowned faculty. Multiple performance and masterclass opportunities are offered throughout the festival. Local transportation is provided along with recreational activities and outings.
Young Artists are provided housing at NLMF’s Dahlin House, the former 1907 Aurora Hospital, located one block from Mesabi East School. Collegiate pianists are also housed at Dahlin, while collegiate students are housed at Mesabi Range College in Virginia. Transportation is provided daily.
Residents at Dahlin House receive breakfast daily; lunches and dinners may be cooked at the house, or eaten in local restaurants, all of which are within 5 minute walks of the school. There is a full laundry available to students.
Apartments at Mesabi Range college are equipped with 4 single bedrooms, full kitchens and laundry.
Some communal meals are provided to all participants on special occasions, for example, after the Festive Fourth Concert, and the Chisholm opera performance, as well as excursions to Lake Superior.
Students may fly into Minneapolis and take a pre-scheduled shuttle to Duluth; or fly to Duluth or Hibbing/Chisholm airports. NLMF staff will pick up participants in Duluth.
Dahlin House includes 10 dorm rooms, six bathrooms, full kitchen with microwave, large common room and washer & dryer.
Typical Daily Schedule
8:15 AM Breakfast at Dahlin House
9:00 AM Music Fundamentals Class I or Private Lessons/
Chamber music coaching/Duet Coachings or Practice
10:00 AM Music Fundamentals Class II or Private Lessons/
Chamber music coaching/Duet Coachings or Practice
11:00 AM Private Lessons orChamber music coaching/Duet Coachings
or Practice
12:00 NOON Lunch
1:00 PM Master Class 2 times a week or Practice/Coachings
2:00 PM Practice/Coachings or Opera Chorus
3:00 PM Practice
4:00 PM Free Time–Mesabi East Pool, Soccer Field
5:30 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Concert either at Mesabi East or other locations
There will be several excursions to historic sites (Hull Rust Mahoning Mine; Vermilion Underground Mine; Lake Superior (Gooseberry Falls); Outings on local lakes.