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Young Musicians Day
A collaboration with Bravo! Vail Music Makers Haciendo Música and other classical music organizations in Colorado.
About the program
A collaboration with Music Makers Haciendo Musica, Boulder Children's Chorale, Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra, and Denver Young Artists Orchestra.
Friday, June 30 – Saturday, July 1 | Ages 12-17
Accepting applications for violin, viola, cello, and double bass
Create meaningful connections and inspire musical curiosity!
What to expect?
Get Training – Improve your playing and technique through rehearsals and workshops from Bravo! Vail’s teaching staff and musicians in residence.
Build Friendships – Connect with a new group of young musicians through ensemble playing, music appreciation, and social activities.
Immerse Yourself – Enjoy the full experience of attending a live orchestra performance by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at Bravo! Vail Music Festival.
Explore the Area – Discover the natural beauty of Vail, Colorado.
Perform a Concert – Young Musicians Day culminates in a large ensemble student performance at Bravo! Vail Music Festival.
Students should be proficient at reading music and have prior experience in playing in an ensemble. See below for detailed prerequisites. Applications are required. Click here beginning February 1 to submit an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Apply
Open for application on February 1, 2023
Check back here to apply
Deadline to apply: April 15, 2023
Tuition & Fees
$125 tuition fee will be due upon admission to the program. Limited scholarships are available.
Tuition will cover two lunches and one dinner, plus all coaching, workshops, and activities.
Application Requirements
Accepting applications for violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Students should be studying 2-octave major scales in the key of C, G, D, A, B-flat, F. All string players should be at should be on or above Book 3 of the Suzuki Method or equivalent.
- All applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a private teacher or ensemble director, a video recording of two of the listed scales, and a solo work that best represents your current level of playing.
- Applicants must be able to read music and have some experience playing in an ensemble. Students will be expected to work on assigned parts with at home teacher ahead of attending Young Musicians Day.
Location & Transportation
Young Musicians Day will commence at 10:00AM on Friday, June 30, at Edwards Interfaith Chapel (32138 US-6, Edwards, CO 81632). Transportation details will be provided by your associate organization.
Overnight Housing
Upon Admission, students will be referred to local discounted hotel housing available through Bravo! Vail partners. Out of town students requiring overnight housing will stay with organization chaperone or parent. Additional charges for overnight stay will be added to tuition fee.
Student Preparation
Upon admission, students will be sent music to practice in advance.
Students should bring their instruments, backpack, water bottle, sunscreen, rain jacket, outdoor shoes, and performance attire consisting of black bottoms, white tops, black socks or stockings, black dress shoes.
Overnight supplies to prepare should include pajamas and toiletries. Snacks are welcome and meals will be provided.
Safety
All teaching staff, host families, and Festival artists are professionally background checked.
Schedule
Subject to change
Friday, June 30
- 10am Arrive, Orientation
- 10:30am -12:30pm Rehearse
- 12:30pm Lunch/Break
- 1:30pm-2:30pm Sectionals
- 2:30pm Break
- 2:45-3:45pm Rehearsal
- 4:00pm Travel to Ford Amphitheater, Free Time Outdoors
- 5:00pm Pre-Concert Performance with Bravo! Vail MMHM Students
- 5:30pm-6:00pm Picnic Dinner on Lawn
- 6:00pm Dallas Symphony Orchestra Concert
Saturday, July 1
- Breakfast on your own
- 9am Arrive at EIC
- 9:15am-10:15 Rehearsal
- 10:15am Run Through
- 10:45am Break
- 11:00am Workshop with Guest Artists
- 12:00pm Lunch
- 1:00pm Concert
Music Faculty
Lindsay Erickson
Nathan Wubbena
Abigail Dreher
Jenny Roussel
Aileen Pagán-Rohwer
Amara Sperber
Lindsay Erickson
Conductor, String Orchestra
Lindsay Erickson joined Bravo!Vail after moving to Colorado in 2015 with her family. Born and raised in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, she began playing the violin at the age of four. As an active chamber and orchestral musician, Ms. Erickson has played with a variety of ensembles ranging from the Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Milwaukee Symphony, Milwaukee Ballet Company, the Cleveland Pops to many notable touring artists such as Peter Gabriel, Barry Manilow, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rod Stewart, Josh Groban, and Jewel to name a few.
Lindsay finished her double Master’s of Music summa cum laude in violin performance and Suzuki pedagogy from the Cleveland Institute of Music, under the tutelage of Linda Cerone and David Russel and Kimberly Meier-Sims, respectively. Prior to graduate school, Ms. Erickson completed her undergraduate work at St. Olaf College, pursuing a double Bachelor’s of Music degree in violin performance and choral education. As concertmaster of the St. Olaf Orchestra, Ms. Erickson performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto as a tour soloist and the Tchaikovsky violin concerto as a Senior Soloist Competition winner. Music festivals include Aspen Music Festival, Kent/Blossom Music Festival and Chatauqua Music School in NY.
In her free time, Ms. Erickson enjoys spending time with her husband, son and triplets skiing, hiking, cooking, and traveling.
Nathan Wubbena
Conductor, Boulder Children's Chorale
Nathan Wubbena received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 2011, and his Master of Music in Music Education with a Conducting Specialization at Colorado State University in 2018. He has conducted ensembles and taught students of all levels - elementary through adults, on both the Front Range and Western Slope. Nathan has had extensive experience teaching choral, musical theater, and contemporary a cappella genres, and is an accomplished performer in each.
He is also the Associate Director of the Longmont Chorale, as well as Board President and Artistic Director of Ascent Vocals. In 2015, he received the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award from the Colorado Music Educators Association, which honors outstanding achievement in an educator with up to 5 years of experience. His experience and recognition have since resulted in him being requested as guest clinician throughout the state of Colorado. He is Chair Emeritus of the Colorado Middle All State Choir board, of which he was a founding board member. Nathan resides in Longmont with his wife, Anna, his son, James, and daughter, Claire. He enjoys cheering for the Broncos and spending time outdoors with his family and dog.
Abigail Dreher
Strings
Abigail Dreher is a classically trained violist, violinist and pianist in the Roaring Fork Valley. She studied with Dr. Katherine Lewis and received her BM and BME from Illinois State University, and her MM in viola performance under Professor Erika Eckert and Geraldine Walther, at the University of Colorado Boulder, as well as studying at Lynn Conservatory under Ralph Fielding. Miss Dreher has attended the Bowdoin International Music Festival, Aspen Summer Music Festival and Banff Centre Evolution Quartet Programs where she worked and collaborated with the Eybler, JACK and Parker quartets. She has presented research and lecture recitals for the American String Teacher Association Conference and the American Viola Society Festival in L.A. She has held principal and section positions with the Boulder Symphony and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Palm Beach Symphony and subs with the Boulder Philharmonic. Miss Dreher is also an avid chamber musician and was a founding member of the Hexum Quartet, as well as collaborating with Jazz musicians in Miami and Ignite Entertainment in Denver. She enjoys teaching and helped direct and lead the Nationally Awarded Illinois State University String Project and ASTA Chapter. Miss Dreher previously lead an excerpts course at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, and coached chamber music as adjunct faculty at the North Broward Preparatory Juilliard Prep Program, as well as the University of Colorado Boulder. Miss Dreher currently works for Aspen Music Festival and Bravo! Vail, teaching in their strings programs and performing at community events, as well as running her own private studio in Snowmass Village.
She is a classically trained violist, violinist and pianist in the Roaring Fork Valley. She studied with Dr. Katherine Lewis and received her BM and BME from Illinois State University, and her MM in viola performance under Professor Erika Eckert and Geraldine Walther, at the University of Colorado Boulder, as well as studying at Lynn Conservatory under Ralph Fielding. Miss Dreher has attended the Bowdoin International Music Festival, Aspen Summer Music Festival and Banff Centre Evolution Quartet Programs where she worked and collaborated with the Eybler, JACK and Parker quartets. She has presented research and lecture recitals for the American String Teacher Association Conference and the American Viola Society Festival in L.A. She has held principal and section positions with the Boulder Symphony and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Palm Beach Symphony and subs with the Boulder Philharmonic. Miss Dreher is also an avid chamber musician and was a founding member of the Hexum Quartet, as well as collaborating with Jazz musicians in Miami and Ignite Entertainment in Denver. She enjoys teaching and helped direct and lead the Nationally Awarded Illinois State University String Project and ASTA Chapter. Miss Dreher previously lead an excerpts course at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, and coached chamber music as adjunct faculty at the North Broward Preparatory Juilliard Prep Program, as well as the University of Colorado Boulder. Miss Dreher currently works for Aspen Music Festival and Bravo! Vail, teaching in their strings programs and performing at community events, as well as running her own private studio in Snowmass Village.
Jenny Roussel
Piano
I was lucky enough to grow up in a musical family, and we performed from an early age. Music was to be shared among all ages and all people.
I started piano when I was five and have played ever since. I studied at Edinburgh University and went on to teach music in Elementary Schools both in the UK and in Colorado. I have worked as a teacher, accompanist , soloist and band member over the years and enjoy all aspects of music.
I have been teaching with Bravo! Vail since 2015, and love teaching the group lessons. I believe that all children should have access to quality music lessons in an instrument of their choice. I strive to make my lessons fun, active and engaging.
Aileen Pagán-Rohwer
Director of Education and Engagement, Strings
Aileen Pagán-Rohwer has served in a variety of roles throughout her career including educator, performer, administrator and community collaborator. Having spent over 35 years building relationships with performers, presenters and educators, Aileen brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and persistence to bringing performers and audiences together.
First and foremost as a teacher and administrator, she was the founding director and cello instructor with Cultural Art Strings, a program under Riverfolk Music and Arts Organization in rural Manchester, Michigan that did not have a strings program. She has additionally held roles as a private cello instructor with the Chelsea Center for the Arts, Toledo Symphony School of Music, and in the cities of Cleveland and Houston. Additionally, she initiated and led a mixed strings class (violin, viola, cello, bass) at the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor upon discovering that allowing a child to choose their voice will result in a higher retention rate and commitment.
As a performer, she has worked as a cellist with the Houston Symphony as a fellow, the Memphis Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, and Akron Symphony and in various chamber music capacities throughout the United States.
In administrative capacities, with organizations such as Chamber Music Ann Arbor, The University of Michigan, Riverfolk Music and Arts and most recently Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates (GLPAA) as executive director from 2015-2021. Her extensive non-profit skills include strategic planning, financial administration, grant writing, and community collaborator.
Some of the highlights of her career in establishing community collaborative programs include supporting the careers of emerging, developing and established musicians through the artist management services at GLPAA, expanding the Caravan Educational Outreach programs connecting professional musicians with GLPAA to underserved youth programs throughout the Midwest Region as well as reaching senior living communities, initiating the GLPAA Neighborhood Concerts during the pandemic taking live music directly to driveways, backyards and gardens, and launching the GLPAA Stone Chalet Concert Series.
With Riverfolk Music and Arts, Aileen is credited with launching the Blacksmith Shop Concert Series, a monthly live music performance in a historic blacksmith shop, the Riverfolk Community Orchestra, Live from Riverfolk livestream series during the pandemic that reached over 10,000 online views, and the Riverfolk Passport to Manchester tour focusing on expanding the history of the rural town to include the many cultures that passed through the land and pairing those cultures with food, music and art presentations.
In her spare time, Aileen enjoys cooking, hiking, biking, gardening and spending time with her three sons, husband Robert Rohwer and new lab puppy Clover. Although moving to Colorado had never crossed her mind, the opportunity to serve another community with the robust cultural offerings of Bravo! Vail, utilizing her bilingual background, and fulfilling the needs of its educational and engagement goals was an easy sell for this longtime Midwest gal.
Aileen holds a bachelor of music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a master of music from Rice University Shepherd School of Music both in cello performance under the guidance of Norman Fischer.
Amara Sperber
Education and Engagement Programs Coordinator, Strings
As a violinist and educator, Amara Sperber works to cultivate creativity in others. Amara currently lives in Eagle, Colorado, where she works as the Education and Engagement Programs Coordinator at Bravo! Vail Music Festival. There, she helps direct after-school piano and violin classes for over 200 students in addition to teaching violin classes and private lessons.
Amara is a fully registered Suzuki violin teacher and received her Suzuki training with Kimberly Meier-Sims at the Cleveland Institute of Music. While living in Cleveland, Amara managed a private studio and taught for multiple education programs including The Cleveland Orchestra and Suzuki Studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Amara holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Oregon. There, she studied violin performance, Suzuki pedagogy and studied abroad in Vienna, Austria. In 2018, Amara received her Master of Music degree at the University of Nevada in Reno as a member of the resident string quartet.
Amara has performed as a section violinist with orchestras including Eugene Symphony, Reno Philharmonic and Reno Chamber Orchestra. She has spent her summers at music festivals including Brevard Music Center, National Repertory Orchestra, AIMS in Graz and Bravo! Vail Music Festival.