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Home Programs VIMA 2025 Track Details

Instrumentalist

World-class training and performances

Participants enrolled in Varna International Music Academy (VIMA) in June 2025 have the opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience! World-renowned violinist, Ilya Kaler is coming to VIMA South Carolina, and you can perform with him in Brahms’ Violin Concerto. Ilya Kaler will also be teaching a limited number of private lessons to our VIMA Instrumental participants and will be giving a masterclass in which 4 string players will have the opportunity to perform. In addition to all these exciting opportunities with Ilya Kaler, participants will also receive in-depth music instruction from our expert faculty and will benefit from unparalleled performance opportunities alongside world-class master artists. This program is open to instrumentalists seeking to develop a professional performing career as an orchestral and chamber musician and will take place in major cities of South Carolina, including the Capital City of Columbia, as well as the cities of Greenville, Rock Hill, and Myrtle Beach along the breathtaking shores of the Grand Strand.

Applicants have four options for participating in VIMA SC 2025. Instrumentalists who pass the audition process successfully will perform in the Festival Orchestra for two, three, or all five works! The Festival Orchestra will feature internationally recognized artists from prestigious US orchestras and renowned educational institutions. Participants will be assigned a position in the orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter of the Metropolitan Opera and under the tutelage of the lead master artists in the orchestra within their respective sections. Auditions are required for all positions. Participants in this program will also receive coaching and preparation for the chamber music recitals under the tutelage of master artists.


OPTION 1: Brahms’ Violin Concerto with Ilya Kaler & Brahms’ Symphony #1

DATES: JUNE 12 – JUNE 17, 2025
(Arrive on June 11, depart on June 18)
TUITION: $1190
**EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $892**

What's Included:
  • Perform Brahms’ Violin Concerto with Ilya Kaler & Brahms’ Symphony #1 two times with the Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Participate in the string masterclass with world-renowned violinist Ilya Kaler (applications required – ONLY 4 APPLICANTS WILL BE CHOSEN TO PERFORM)
  • Opportunity to have a private 30-minute lesson with Ilya Kaler for an additional cost of $200 (applications & audition recordings required – ONLY 24 PARTICIPANTS WILL BE CHOSEN)
  • Participate in the string masterclass with master teacher and violinist, Levon Ambartsumian (auditions are required to be chose to perform)
  • One 60-minute individual lesson per week with a master teacher
  • One 2-hour group sectional rehearsal led by master principal players
  • Two-hour group chamber music coaching to prepare for the instrumental chamber recital
  • Participation in the student chamber recital

OPTION 2: Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor and Brahms’ Violin Concerto with Ilya Kaler & Brahms’ Symphony #1

DATES: JUNE 8 – JUNE 17, 2025
(Arrive on June 7, depart on June 18)
TUITION: $1870
**EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $1402**

What's Included:
  • Perform Brahms’ Violin Concerto with Ilya Kaler & Brahms’ Symphony #1 two times with the Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Perform Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor two times with the Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Participate in the string masterclass with world-renowned violinist Ilya Kaler (applications required – ONLY 4 APPLICANTS WILL BE CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE)
  • Opportunity to have a private 30-minute lesson with Ilya Kaler for an additional cost of $200 (applications & audition recordings required – ONLY 24 PARTICIPANTS WILL BE CHOSEN)
  • Participate in the string masterclass with master teacher and violinist, Levon Ambartsumian (auditions are required to be chose to perform)
  • One 60-minute individual lesson per week with a master teacher
  • One 2-hour group sectional rehearsal led by master principal players
  • One 2-hour group chamber music coaching to prepare for the student instrumental chamber recital
  • Participation in the student instrumental chamber recital

OPTION 3: A Grand Night for Singing and Die Fledermaus

DATES: JUNE 19 – JUNE 29, 2025
(Arrive on June 18, depart on June 30)
TUITION: $1590
**EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $1192**

What's Included:
  • Perform in the Festival Orchestra for A Grand Night for Singing under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera (if applicable for the score)
  • Perform in the Festival Orchestra for Die Fledermaus under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Participate in the string masterclass with master teacher and violinist, Levon Ambartsumian (auditions are required to be chose to perform)
  • One 60-minute individual lesson per week with a master teacher
  • One 2-hour group sectional rehearsal led by master principal players
  • One 2-hour group chamber music coaching to prepare for the student instrumental chamber recital
  • Participation in the student instrumental chamber recital

OPTION 4: All Works

DATES: JUNE 8 – JUNE 29, 2025
(Arrive on June 7, depart on June 30)
TUITION: $2990
**EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $2242**

What's Included:
  • Perform Brahms’ Violin Concerto with Ilya Kaler & Brahms’ Symphony #1 two times with the Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Perform Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor two times with the Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Perform in the Festival Orchestra for A Grand Night for Singing under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera (if applicable for the score)
  • Perform in the Festival Orchestra for Die Fledermaus under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Participate in the string masterclass with world-renowned violinist Ilya Kaler (applications required – ONLY 4 APPLICANTS WILL BE CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE)
  • Opportunity to have a private 30-minute lesson with Ilya Kaler for an additional cost of $200 (applications & audition recordings required – ONLY 24 PARTICIPANTS WILL BE CHOSEN)
  • Participate in the string masterclass with master teacher and violinist, Levon Ambartsumian (auditions are required to be chose to perform)
  • One 60-minute individual lesson per week with a master teacher
  • One 2-hour group sectional rehearsal led by master principal players
  • One 2-hour group chamber music coaching to prepare for the student instrumental chamber recital
  • Participation in the student instrumental chamber recital
Application & Audition Requirements:

Applicants for the Choral Singer Program must submit the following:

  • Application
  • Resumé
  • Video recording showing the applicant conducting a choral, orchestral, or choral/orchestral piece

Optional Add-Ons & Exclusions:

Private Lesson with Ilya Kaler:
Interested string players can have a private 30-minute lesson with world-renowned violinist, Ilya Kaler for an additional cost of $200. If interested, string players must submit an application and recording because only 24 applicants will be chosen.

Accommodations:

  • Double occupancy: $350 per week (7 nights)
  • Single occupancy: $525 per week (7 nights)
Meals:
Meal availability depends on the city. Please see the breakdown below:
  • Columbia: Meal plan is available for $35 per day. This includes 3 meals each day provided by Columbia International University (CIU). Participants who opt for the meal plan must pay for the entire service. The meal plan cannot be modified.
  • Greenville: Participants responsible for all meals
  • Coast: Participants responsible for all meals
Ground Transportation:
Transportation during VIMA SC is included for those that add lodging to their program package, but participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the airport.

We encourage you to connect with other participants to make arrangements for shared rides during the program. Varna International will facilitate contact between participants to aid in your communication.