Emory Youth Chamber Program

The Emory Youth Chamber Program (EYCP) provides intensive small ensemble training to young Atlanta-area pianists and string players.  Students are generally 10-18 years old** and are placed in groups of two to five musicians.  Over the course of the semester, groups receive eight coachings from members of the Vega Quartet, participate in masterclasses with the Quartet as well as guest artists, and are also provided space at Emory University for independent rehearsals. At the end of the semester each group gives a public performance to share their work with family and friends.

**Advanced students under the age of 10 who wish to apply are encouraged to write to vega@vegaquartet.com, to be advised on a case-by-case basis.

A cello quartet (l-r: Evan Nicholson, Mingdao Gavalda, Jordan Leslie and Will Goodwin) perform on the December 2016 concert.

Apply and Audition

Auditions for Fall 2023 are scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, August 20th between 1pm - 6pm. Application deadline is August 14th, 2023. If you have already applied, you will receive information via email regarding audition times, location and other relevant information.

To see FAQs, please click here.

EYCP students participate in a masterclass once a semester, performing for peers and colleagues.

Why join EYCP?

EYCP was founded in 2006 by the Vega Quartet, Emory University's Quartet-in-Residence and the first and only professional string quartet based in Atlanta.  The Vega is an international award-winning Quartet with an active concertizing career and more than 20 years of experience in teaching chamber music.

Participant Eugenia Lim and Vega violist Yinzi Kong perform Mozart's Duo in G, K. 423.

Why Play Chamber Music?

Chamber Music is FUN! While an orchestra must follow the lead of a conductor, a chamber group encourages individuals to initiate their own music making. Each player in the group holds a unique piece of the musical puzzle and polishes it to the best of his or her ability.  The team then figures out their way to put all the pieces together and bring the music to life.  Members learn how to communicate, take responsibility and fulfill commitments through this process.  The reward is a performance that the group can proudly call its own!