The YAF Experience – Chamber Music, Masterclasses, Solo Recitals

Learning to manage time well and communicate well with others is essential to success at YAF and beyond. After ensembles are finalized, rehearsal schedules are coordinated among each ensemble's members and assigned faculty member(s). Thanks to the small number of parties involved in a chamber music ensemble, each ensemble and their assigned faculty member(s) enjoy a degree of flexibility in accommodating each other's weekly schedules and rehearsal location preferences. At the beginning of each Term, each ensemble's members are expected to mutually agree on ideal time slots and rehearsal locations to plan the full Term's rehearsal schedule, with room for minor adjustments as needed.

Each student should plan for ten 90-minute rehearsals each Term, which may span one or more ensembles.

YAF is where you are. By forming local chamber groups of students and pairing them with teaching artists actively engaged in the area, we create opportunities to foster and present artistic achievement throughout the peninsula, from San Jose to San Francisco. Rehearsals, performances, and masterclasses, are thoughtfully curated to reduce travel while offering greater coverage of exceptional musical education to more communities. Most rehearsals take place at the teaching studios of our faculty, which are well-equipped to create productive learning environments for chamber music. Teaching studios are located in South Bay (Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto), on the Peninsula (San Carlos, Foster City), and in San Francisco.

YAF's season runs from August - April of each year in 2 terms Fall (August – November/December), and Spring (January – April/May). While students are not required to participate in all terms, to ensure an exemplary music education for all YAF students, priority is given to those who are committed to both Fall and Spring terms each season.

Parents may observe rehearsals if scheduling allows, or may pick up and drop off students at appropriate times if needed.

Similar to lessons, rehearsals led by faculty are private learning environments. While video and audio recording are useful practice tools, capturing recordings is permissible at the discretion of the faculty member leading the rehearsal. As a professional courtesy, please request permission from your assigned faculty member each time before recording for private use.

Students participating in Solo Recitals must source, rehearse with, and compensate their own accompanists, when applicable. YAF may provide a list of recommended piano accompanists upon request.