Summer@SFCM

Summer@SFCM offers residential summer programs where students take part in activities such as music technology, media composition, state-of-the-art production techniques, orchestral and keyboard percussion, chamber ensemble, global percussion, guitar technique, harp ensemble, and music composition. The program includes private lessons, group classes, coaching with pianists, master classes and masterclasses, small ensembles, workshops, and a final concert, along with solo, chamber, and large ensemble performance opportunities. Some courses also include Alexander Technique, improvisation, and performance-focused sessions.

• Ages: 12–18 years old
• Schedule: Week-long immersive courses, including a six-day Percussion Academy, a five-day Harp Immersive, a nine-day online-only Introduction to Music Composition course, and a weeklong seminar-style Arts Leadership Summer Institute

Summer@SFCM includes programs such as the Technology and Applied Composition Immersive (ages 15–18), Percussion Academy (ages 13–18), Vocal Academy (ages 14–18), Guitar Workshop (ages 13–18), Harp Immersive (ages 12–19), Introduction to Music Composition – ONLINE ONLY (ages 13–18), Bass Clarinet Intensive (ages 18+), and the Arts Leadership Summer Institute (ages 21+). Residential options allow students to stay on campus during the week-long immersive courses, and applications open on December 1. SFCM is celebrating its 100th anniversary and states that it is advancing a model of music education that sets students up for a rewarding career in music and a path of lifelong learning.

SFCM reports that it is the only music school that leads an alliance combining music education with a legendary label, two prominent artist management companies, and their premier clients. The institution notes that 90% of concerts at the Bowes Center are free and open to the public. SFCM hosts Classical California Radio station KDFC, and most principal players of the San Francisco Symphony are on SFCM faculty. Numerous faculty and alumni are involved with the opera through programs such as the Merola Opera Program and Adler Fellowship, and many faculty are part of the San Francisco Ballet orchestra, with students from the SF Ballet School also living in the Bowes Center. SFCM also reports extensive overlap between its faculty and SFJAZZ Collective members, including side-by-side performance opportunities. The program leadership team includes Keelin Davis (Associate Dean & Executive Director, Pre-College and Continuing Education), Laura Reynolds (Associate Director, Pre-College & Summer Programs), Jenny Ma (Pre-College Coordinator), Carina Wu (Pre-College Associate), President David H. Stull, and Provost Jonas Wright.

Last updated March 19, 2026.