Pre-College

Recognized by industry leaders and top performing arts institutions, Chamber Music | OC’s Pre-College Program is the only pre-professional classical music training program of its kind in Southern California. Open to promising young musicians between the ages of 10 and 18, Pre- College participants will join Chamber Music | OC’s vast professional network of performers, educators, and community advocates while developing essential skill sets guaranteed to bring success both on and off the concert hall stage.

With two separate curriculum tracks, Pre-College participants curate the experience that best fits their needs and schedules. For questions or for more information, please submit an inquiry via the contact page.

Curriculum and Tuition Information

Full Track

Performance Core + any 3 Electives of your choosing in a year (see list of electives below).

Tuition: $3,500/year

Partial Track

Performance Core + any 1 Elective of your choosing in a year (see list of electives below).

Tuition: $2,875/year

Performance Core

Performance Core is made up of: Weekly Chamber Music Coachings; Performance Classes; Guest Artist Master Classes and Workshops; Concert Participation/Senior Solo Recitals; Rising Stars Recitals.

The Full Track also includes: One-on-one college/audition guidance, solo recital opportunities (seniors only), community outreach performances, and the use of recording studio/equipment/professional engineer at a discounted rate.

Electives *

Term I
Sep – Nov: 10 weeks

  • Rudimentary and Intermediate Theory Review
  • Portfolio Development for College Admission (virtual)

Term II
Dec – Feb: 11 weeks

  • Ear-Training and Eurhythmics (6-week workshop)
  • Intermediate and Advanced Theory Review
  • Sonata Class Part I * (performance elective for duo repertoire)

Term III
Mar – May: 11 weeks

  • Strategy and Innovation (virtual)
  • Sonata Class Part II * (performance elective for duo repertoire)

* Sonata Class participants must commit to both Part I and II sections over the duration of Terms II and III.

Each hour-long Elective class is offered weekly, at a separate time, during the designated Term only. Participants can select any Music Theory courses depending on prior experience.

Additional electives are available to all participants a la carte at the rate of $440 per elective, per term.

Scholarship and Financial Aid

Limited financial aid packages are available based on merit and need. Please send an inquiry to admin@chambermusicoc.org for more information.

Special Participant Prizes (awarded at the end of the season):

  • The Irv Weinstein Memorial Scholarship ($2,000 scholarship awarded to one graduating senior pursuing music in college)
  • Most Improved Student Award (includes a $2,500 credit towards a Full-Track only tuition for the following season) *

* This credit cannot be combined with any additional discounts.

Operational Calendar
Term I
Sep – Nov: 10 weeks

  • Orientation: Sep. 8 *
  • September: 15-17; 22-24; 29-Oct. 1
  • October: 6-8; 13-15; 20-22; 27-29
  • November: 3-5; 10-12; 17-19
  • Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 24-26

Term II
Dec – Feb: 11 weeks

  • December: 1-3; 8-10; 15-17
  • Holiday Party: Dec. 18
  • Winter Break: Dec. 22-Jan. 1
  • January: 5-7; 12-14; 19-21; 26-28
  • February: 2-4; 9-11; 16-18; 23-25
Term III
Mar – May: 11 weeks

  • March: 1-3; 8-10; 15-17
  • Faculty Showcase: Mar. 2 *
  • Spring Break: Mar. 22-24
  • Easter Break: Mar. 29-31
  • April: 5-7; 12-14; 19-21; 26-28
  • May: 3-5; 10-12; 17-19; 24-26
  • Rising Stars Recitals: Jun. 1 *
* Attendance is mandatory for all participants
"In addition to getting to play great music, Chamber Music | OC's Pre-College Program gives me a sense of belonging."
Ivan Wang

Alumnus, Chamber Music | OC Pre-College Program

Pre-College Alumni

Violin

Mayukh Banerjee - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Phil Chen - Stanford University
Aileen Chung - New England Conservatory
Angela Huang - University of California, Los Angeles
Irene Im - The Juilliard School Pre-College
Luchi Jiang - Northwestern University
Antony Karacic - Boston University
John Kim - University of Michigan
Rachel Kim - Yale University
Danielle Liu - Chapman University
Megan Martono - Rice University
Leo Matsuoka - Eastman School of Music
Katherine Park - Princeton University
Hannah Song - The Juilliard School
Kelly Tsai - Boston University
Matthew Yee - California State University, Fullerton
Jayden Yeung - Stanford University

Cello

Ivette Chen - Harvard University
Reina Cho - The Juilliard School
Andrew Do - Princeton University
Annie Hyung - Northwestern University
Justin Koga - Duke University
Daniel Paik - University of Pennsylvania
Jungwoo Park - Columbia University
Nathan Park - Princeton University
Brandon Shin - University of Michigan
Ivan Wang - Rice University

Viola

Brandon Chen - University of California, Santa Barbara
Elaine Chi - Dartmouth College
Francesca Estrada - University of California, Berkeley
Julia Im - University of California, Berkeley
Zoe Lee - California State University, Fullerton
Christine Lin - Pomona College
Noah Pacis - Princeton University
Sarah Shim - Universität der Künste Berlin

Piano

Eun Choi - San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Clare Chun - Biola University
Jake Clayton - University of California, Berkeley
Nicole Kouwabunpat - University of California, Irvine
Erin Lee - Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Sean Lee - Princeton University
Songvy Nguyen - University of California, Berkeley
Grace Park - University of Southern California
Ian Park - John’s Hopkins University
Rafe Schaberg - New England Conservatory
Clara Truong - Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Kyle Yeung - The Juilliard School Pre-College

The application period for the 2023/24 Pre-College Program is now closed. If you wish to be notified about next season, please contact Clare Chun, Pre-College Coordinator, at clare.chun@chambermusicoc.org.

Faculty

Erin Breene

Erin Breene

Cello; Chamber Music

Ross Gasworth

Ross Gasworth

Cello; Chamber Music

Warren Hagerty

Warren Hagerty

Cello; Chamber Music

Iryna Krechkovsky

Iryna Krechkovsky

Violin; Chamber Music

Kevin Kwan Loucks

Kevin Kwan Loucks

Piano; Business and Entrepreneurship

Yoshika Masuda

Yoshika Masuda

Cello; Chamber Music

Sorah Myung

Sorah Myung

Viola; Chamber Music

Beth Nam

Beth Nam

Piano; Chamber Music

Vera Ivanova

Vera Ivanova

Composition; Music Theory

Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

Piano; Chamber Music

Master Classes and Workshops

ARKAI

ARKAI

Electroacoustic Duo

Margaret Batjer

Margaret Batjer

Violin

Paul Katz

Paul Katz

Cello

Sarah Koo

Sarah Koo

Cello

Kronos Quartet

Kronos Quartet

Ensemble

Pei-Shan Lee

Pei-Shan Lee

Piano

Kevin Kwan Loucks

Kevin Kwan Loucks

Piano

Julian Martin

Julian Martin

Piano

Rohan De Silva

Rohan De Silva

Piano

Sonata Sips...Where Music and Coffee Blend

August 12, 2023

August 12, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m. | Start your morning with a delicious cup of joe from CUP by Blue Hummingbird Coffee and enjoy some chamber music performed by the very talented students and faculty members from Chamber Music OC!

Event Details

Pre-College Orientation and Welcome Party

September 08, 2023

September 8, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. | Mandatory Orientation and welcome party for all 2023/24 Pre-College Participants.

Event Details

Interactive Performance Workshop: ARKAI Electroacoustic Duo

September 30, 2023

September 30, 2023 @ 12:00 p.m. | A 90 minute hands-on learning experience for students of any artistic background, cultivating the skills of curiosity, listening, and improvisation through an entrepreneurial lens.

Event Details

Special Event: ARKAI Electroacoustic Duo

October 01, 2023

October 1, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m. | The ARKAI electroacoustic duo joins Chamber Music | OC for an exciting evening that pairs a performance with a discussion on improvisation, the fusion of classical tradition with contemporary technology, and the history of their duo. Program to include the Beatles' "Blackbird", original tunes, and more.

Event Details and Purchase Tickets

Technique Workshop for Strings: Sarah Koo Freeman

October 14, 2023

October 14, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m. | Cello faculty at UC Irvine and Colburn, celebrated cellist and pedagogue Sarah Koo Freeman leads a workshop focused on techniques to improve practicing, approach to intonation, preparation for competitions and college auditions, and much more.

Event Details

Composition and Improvisation Workshop I: Dr. Vera Ivanova

October 20, 2023

October 20, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m. | Introduces the art of composition and how it can be initiated in a variety of ways. Students will try improvisation on instruments, coming up with a short motive or melody and notating it and then developing it, while learning by looking at “model” pieces.

Event Details

Community Engagement: Pre-College and ACMP Ensembles at Heritage Pointe

November 05, 2023

November 5, 2023 @ 6:30 p.m. | Members of Chamber Music | OC's Pre-College and Adult Chamber Music Programs share their musical talents with the community at Heritage Pointe. Not open to the public.

Event Details

Technique Workshop for Pianists: Kevin Kwan Loucks

November 17, 2023

November 17, 2023 @ 6:30 p.m. | Open to Pre-College piano participants, this workshop focuses on practicing and performing without tension, balance in ensemble playing, preparation for competitions and college auditions, and strategies for communication on the concert stage.

Event Details

Community Engagement: Pre-College Ensembles at the Susi Q

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023 @ 4:00 p.m. | Members of Chamber Music | OC's distinguished Pre-College Program share their musical talents with the community at the Susi Q in Laguna Beach, presented in partnership with Laguna Beach Live! Not open to the public.

Event Details

Pre-College Holiday Party

December 18, 2023

December 18, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m. | Annual holiday party and potluck for all 2023/24 Pre-College Participants.

Event Details

Performance Class I: Warren Hagerty

January 06, 2024

January 6, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m. | CMOC Pre-College Faculty and Pacific Symphony Orchestra Principal Cellist Warren Hagerty leads a performance class for Pre-College ensembles.

Event Details

Special Event: Rohan De Silva

January 26, 2024

January 26, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. | This multi-part evening featuring pianist Rohan De Silva includes a performance of Gershwin/Heifetz's Porgy and Bess Suite for Violin and Piano with violinist Iryna Krechkovsky, discussion on the art of collaboration, and master class with a Pre-College Program ensemble.

Event Details and Purchase Tickets

Community Engagement: Pre-College and ACMP Ensembles at Heritage Pointe

February 04, 2024

February 4, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m. | Members of Chamber Music | OC's Pre-College and Adult Chamber Music Programs share their musical talents with the community at Heritage Pointe. Not open to the public.

Event Details

Composition and Improvisation Workshop II: Dr. Vera Ivanova

February 09, 2024

February 9, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m. | Introduces music notation software used to notate compositions or create from scratch. Students will learn how to create a file for their music, enter notes, edit them, add all other necessary elements of music notation.

Event Details

Faculty Showcase: Pre-College Faculty and Friends

March 02, 2024

March 2, 2024 @ 7:30 p.m. | [SOLD OUT] Members of Chamber Music | OC’s very own Pre-College faculty join forces to present an exciting evening of chamber music in a variety of configurations, including Vivian Fung's Birdsong for Violin and Piano, Brahms' Piano Quintet with guest Pre-College participant Minji Choi, and more.

Visiting Guest Artist Master Class: Ms. Margaret Batjer

March 09, 2024

March 9, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m. | LACO Concertmaster and violin faculty at USC Thornton School of Music and the Colburn School, award-winning violinist Margaret Batjer leads a master class for Pre-College ensembles.

Event Details

CelloBello x CMOC: Chamber Music Master Class

March 23, 2024

March 23, 2024 @ 11:00 a.m. | CelloBello, in collaboration with Chamber Music | OC's Pre-College Program, presents a chamber music master class led by cellist and CelloBello founder Paul Katz, and pianist Pei-Shan Lee. Free; advance reservation required.

Event Details and Reservations

CelloBello x CMOC: Cello Master Class and Pedagogy Discussion

March 23, 2024

March 23, 2024 @ 2:00 p.m. | CelloBello, in collaboration with Chamber Music | OC, presents a cello master class and pedagogy discussion led by cellist and CelloBello founder Paul Katz. Free; advance reservation required.

Event Details and Reservations

CelloBello x CMOC: CelloBello Information Session with Paul Katz

March 23, 2024

March 23, 2024 @ 3:15 p.m. | CelloBello, in collaboration with Chamber Music | OC, presents an information session on the CelloBello organization and website led by cellist and CelloBello founder Paul Katz. Free; advance reservation required.

Event Details and Reservations

CelloBello x CMOC: Chamber Music Concert

March 23, 2024

March 23, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m. | [ SOLD OUT ] CelloBello, in collaboration with Chamber Music | OC, presents a chamber music concert featuring pianist Pei-Shan Lee, violinist Iryna Krechkovsky, violist Che-Yen Chen, and cellist Yoshika Masuda. Program to include works by Bach, Rachmaninoff, and Schumann. Advance ticket purchase required.

Composition and Improvisation Workshop III: Dr. Vera Ivanova

April 12, 2024

April 12, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m. | Introduces different types of music texture and how to fledge ideas into a composition with developed harmony, changing chords, and different textures. Students will work on turning melody to harmony and creating different types of accompaniment or texture.

Event Details

Performance Class II: Warren Hagerty

April 14, 2024

April 14, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m. | CMOC Pre-College Faculty and Pacific Symphony Orchestra Principal Cellist Warren Hagerty leads a performance class for Pre-College ensembles.

Event Details

Sonata Class Recital (Chapman University)

May 04, 2024

May 4, 2024 @ 8:00 p.m. | Chamber Music | OC's internationally-recognized Pre-College Program presents a performance by participants from the Sonata Class elective, led by Louise Thomas, Iryna Krechkovsky, and Yoshika Masuda.

Event Details

Sonata Class Recital (CMOC)

May 25, 2024

May 25, 2024 @ 12:30 p.m. | Chamber Music | OC's internationally-recognized Pre-College Program presents the final performance for the Sonata Class elective, led by Louise Thomas, Iryna Krechkovsky, and Yoshika Masuda.

Event Details

Rising Stars Recitals and Party

June 01, 2024

June 1, 2024 @ 1:00-6:00 p.m. | Chamber Music | OC's nationally-recognized Pre-College Program culminates with this showcase featuring participant ensembles performing chamber music masterpieces.

Event Details

Community Engagement: Pre-College and ACMP Ensembles at Heritage Pointe

June 09, 2024

June 9, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m. | Members of Chamber Music | OC's Pre-College and Adult Chamber Music Programs share their musical talents with the community at Heritage Pointe. Not open to the public.

Event Details

I can't get the application to work. What do I do?
We apologize for the trouble. If you are for some reason unable to submit the application successfully, please use this direct link.
Do I need to have prior chamber music experience to participate in Chamber Music | OC's Pre-College Program?

Prior chamber music experience is not required. Musicians who have not experienced small ensemble playing are especially encouraged to apply as the curriculum offers a highly structured introduction to the art.

What are the judges looking for in my Audition Video?

The Audition Committee will assess the applicant’s level of playing as well as the required supplemental information. The short interview portion will allow the Committee to gain a better understanding of an applicant’s time commitment outside of school, and will also assist with making curriculum recommendations that will best suit each participant’s individual needs.

How do I apply for financial aid?

Limited financial aid packages will be available to those who demonstrate a need for assistance. Applicants seeking additional aid should reach out to Clare Chun, Admissions Manager, at clare.chun@chambermusicoc.org, to inquire about eligibility.

What are the criteria for the full-tuition scholarship?

The Audition Committee will award up to two full-tuition scholarships to applicants demonstrating exceptional talent. The level of repertoire, individual commitment to music studies, as well as future aspirations will be strongly considered in the decision-making process.

How much time should I expect to commit as a participant of the Pre-College Program?

Participants in the Full-Track Curriculum can expect to commit an average of 3 hours a week, with Partial-Track Curriculum participants around 2 hours a week – this includes weekly coachings and class attendance. Although the majority of the work for Electives will be done in-class with limited homework, individual practicing in preparation for weekly coachings, performance classes, and other public appearances will require additional time, and will vary depending on each individual.

How is Master Class participation determined?

The Pre-College curriculum offers several chamber music master classes presented by
distinguished visiting guest artists. Every group is eligible to be featured on the Master Class
Series upon the recommendation of the performance faculty. Faculty’s criteria for selection
includes monitoring steady progress of each group in coachings, individual preparation, and the
consistency of the full ensemble’s attendance throughout the season. Please note that every
program participant is required to be present for all scheduled guest artist master classes,
regardless of the selection outcome.

As a Full-Track Curriculum participant, do I need to register for an Elective during each of the three Terms?

Full-Track participants may select any three Electives that best fit their schedules throughout the year, regardless of the Term. For example, participants may choose to opt out of taking any Electives during Term II because of a particularly busy college audition schedule, and instead take two Electives during Term III, and one during Term I, etc. Elective classes never overlap, allowing participants the freedom to carefully manage their schedule throughout the year.

As a Partial-Track Curriculum participant, do I need to register for an Elective during each of the three Terms?
Partial-Track participants are only required to register for a total of one Elective during any of the Terms. Participants choosing this track may also consider registering for additional Electives (for an additional cost) should they desire to take advantage of more than one class.
Who gets to perform during the Rising Stars Recitals?
Participation in the annual Rising Stars Recitals is mandatory for every member of the program. Each group will have the opportunity to perform their assigned chamber music work in its entirety. The recital will be professionally photographed and audio/video recorded at no charge to the participant.