Q: Tuition & Fees

Application Fees $85 by March 15, 2026 Summer Tuition June 15–27, 2026 $1,495 Enrollment Deposit A non-refundable enrollment deposit of $300 is due upon acceptance to YAF to secure ensemble placement, credited towards Summer 2026 tuition

Question 1

Eligibility

Accepted Answer

In order to be considered for participation in YAF's programs. students must:
 • Be an incoming 4th – 12th grade or equivalent student
 • Be actively be taking private lessons for a minimum of 2 years in their primary instrument
    • Strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass)
    • Piano
 • Reside anywhere within commuting distance of Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, or San Francisco
 • Be committed to attending assigned coaching sessions and scheduled performances, coordinated ahead of time based on each students' and assigned group's expected mutual availability.

Question 2

Video Audition & Guidelines

Accepted Answer

All auditions for Summer 2026 are to be by video submission. Each video submission must consist of:

1) A short recorded video of any major solo work of the applicant's choosing, approximately 3 minutes in length best demonstrating the applicant's playing ability. Piano accompaniment for the solo work is optional for non-piano instruments. Pianist students must be unaccompanied.

2) All video auditions must must also include assigned excerpts, designated either Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 (where applicable). All applicants must play the excerpt listed in Level 1. Applicants wishing to apply for Level 2 or level 3 must additionally play the corresponding-level excerpts. More details found in each instrument's Excerpt Requirements.

All applicants must upload their audition video to Youtube, listed either publicly or privately, and include a link in their applications. If listing privately, ensure that those who have the link have access.
 
Audition videos must:
 • Have been recorded within 3 months of submission to best reflect the applicant's current playing ability
 • Show the applicant and their instrument in clear view
 • Not have been professionally edited in any way, including audio and video, aside from optionally trimming the beginnings and ends

Applicants may use professional equipment to record, but is not required. Most mobile device cameras and microphones are sufficient, as long as the applicant's playing can be seen and heard clearly.

Each individual piece and excerpt played must be in one continuous take. The entire video submission may consist of individual takes of each piece, or played continuously in a single take. Editing beyond trimming beginnings and endings of each take is not allowed and may disqualify a candidate.

Question 3

Tuition & Fees

Accepted Answer

Application Fees
$85 by March 15, 2026
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Summer Tuition June 15–27, 2026
$1,495

Enrollment Deposit
A non-refundable enrollment deposit of $300 is due upon acceptance to YAF to secure ensemble placement, credited towards Summer 2026 tuition

YAF Summer Session 2026

June 15 – 27, 2026

Ready to Apply?