Become a Student

“Still thinking about the mountains and the wonderful performances the students gave last weekend. Taos remains my favorite place in the world! Thanks for having us all again.”

Serena Canin, Violin

BRENTANO STRING QUARTET

“I want to thank you again for helping make my second summer at Taos such a special one. I felt I grew substantially as a musician and person, especially in my 2nd summer because I realized what a unique place Taos is where you are surrounded by friends and faculty, who feel like family, and it creates a safe haven for communicating, expressing, and sharing one’s thoughts on chamber music. I feel now that I do have a strong musical voice and Taos helped me realize and develop that voice.”

Brandon Garbot, Violin 2013 & 15

“I feel that my summer in Taos was one of my most important educational experiences and was certainly the most enjoyable musical experience I have had.  It taught me how to prepare a major chamber work for performance in a very short amount of time, something that one does not always learn in school, but which is essential to a professional musician.”

Ron Grinage, Piano 1983

“I just want to say that the two summers I spent at Taos are among my fondest memories.  In fact, I’d say that they were the best summers of my life.  Now, when I look back, I am amazed at how much I learned about myself, other people, and music in general.”

Stephen Fang, Cello 2001 & 2003

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CELLO, NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY

“I really hope she will get a chance to experience Taos which basically changed my musical life forever, and will always remain one of the most important experiences and people and place.”

Yuri Kim, Piano 1989

“Taos School of Music helped me tremendously last year become a fuller and more complete chamber musician.  It also helped me to have a new outlook on my solo repertoire as well.  I grew musically more last summer than any other summer that I can remember.”

Keir GoGwilt, Violin 2010

“My greatest musical experience was . . . my two summers at the Taos School of Music, which is a small chamber music festival in New Mexico. Only nineteen students living in a French ski resort and playing chamber music . . . what’s not to love?”

Molly Sharp, Viola 1992 & 1993

PRINCIPAL VIOLA RICHMOND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

“Thanks for the great time I had in Taos this summer!  It was definitely the most enjoyable and productive summer in the four years that I have been living in the U.S.”

Chung-Mei Chang, Violin 1993

PRINCIPAL SECOND, PORTLAND MAINE SYMPHONY

“I am trying to hold onto the strength that I felt grow during the Taos months now, so that I can continue to learn and perform music.”

Yuri Kim, Piano 1989

WINNER 1990 YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS INTERNATIONAL AUDITIONS

“Thanks for another amazing summer in Taos.  I’m so happy that I decided to go back…it’s a really great festival.”

Rebecca Gitter, Viola 1999-01

BOSTON SYMPHONY

“Thank you again for a wonderful summer.  I learned so much and really enjoyed the ski valley and the great friends that I met.  Taos School of Music is a special program and I hope it continues to thrive for years to come.”

Rachel Segal, Violin 1999-01

“I am fortunate to have the Larks and I know that it could not have happened without my summer at Taos. I learned such a tremendous amount and it was and it was at Taos that I made the decision to pursue a chamber music career.”

Danielle Farina, viola, 1996

LARK STRING QUARTET

“Thanks for the great time I had in Taos this summer! It was definitely the most enjoyable and productive summer in the four years that I have been living in the U.S.”

Chung-Mei Chang, Violin 1993

PRINCIPAL SECOND, PORTLAND MAINE SYMPHONY

“I will always value my experience at Taos – the music, the food. Is the French chef still there? The mountains and wildflowers, the friends I made and didn’t keep in touch with but who remain in my heart.”

Sarah O’Boyle, violin, 1992

ACTING ASST, PRINCIPAL SECOND VIOLIN, PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY

“I hope this small contribution will help you to carry on the wonderful musical tradition at Taos.”

Mark George, Piano 1990

FACULTY CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC

“You run an extraordinary music festival in an unheard-of surrounding, both beautiful and comfortable. I have not had such a healthy, productive summer in years.”

Katie Lansdale, Violin 1989-90

ASSISTANT TO DONALD WEILERSTEIN AT THE CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC, UNC

“I have always the best memory of my learning experience at Taos. Thank you!”

Yuri Kim, piano 1989

MANNES COLLEGE OF MUSIC

“Unfortunately those best of all possible worlds situations like Taos can’t last forever.”

Andrew Smith, Cello 1987-88

PRINCIPAL CELLO, WEST VIRGINIA SYM, UNIV. OF NEVADA LAS VEGAS

“The summer I spent in Taos was undeniably one of the most wonderful summers of my life. The quality and intensity of the music combined with the serenity of the environment creates an unparalleled experience.”

Jonathan Sturm, Violin 1985

FACULTY, RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE

“I always relive the Taos Memories in my mind, every summer, and every time I play or hear chamber music. It is such a wonderful place.”

Junie Cho, Piano 1985

BROOKLYN CONSERVATORY

“I haven’t forgotten the terrific musical experience of my eight weeks in ’84! Whew! That’s a ways back!” “I think that my summer at Taos inspired and confirmed that love for chamber playing. I‘d like to thank you for giving so many students, including myself, such a wonderful opportunity to fully commit to ensemble playing for a summer.”

Heather Hay, Cello 1984

MEMBER PRUCELL STRING QUARTET AND NATIONAL BALLET ORCHESTRA OF CANADA

“I have so many wonderful memories of Taos and all the wonderful people.”

Sue Synnestvedt, Violin 1983

MEMBER OF THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY

“I can honestly say that Taos was my favorite summer musical experience. I’m very lucky to have gone twice.”

Roberta Freier, Violin 1981-82

PRINCIPAL SECOND VIOLIN, VANCOUVER (CANADA) SYMPHONY

“I really treasure my memories of Taos and appreciate the unique experience I had there.”

Allen Whear, Cello 1980-81

FACULTY, SHENANDOAH CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

“This School of Music is really unique among summer programs. No other festival that I’ve seen or participated in has provided the atmosphere of care and encouragement (and ample, luxurious time!) to learn challenging works and produce such excellent performances. The balance of high expectations and sustained positive support is just right.”

Sylvia Kahan, Piano, 1977

NTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY

“Taos played such an important role in my life–indeed it was my favorite summer music activity, and the stay in the valley was a time of beauty for me.”

Laura Klugherz, Violin 1975

FACULTY, COLGATE UNIVERSITY

“I strongly believe that the two summers I spent in Taos were the turning point in my musical life.”

Kyle Champion, Cello 1974-75

PRINCIPAL CELLO, CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF OKLAHOMA & MEMBER OF OKLAHOMA SYMPHONY

“Taos had a lot to do with my ultimate path in music.”

Paul Yarbrough, Viola 1974

FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ALEXANDER QUARTET, SAN FRANCISCO STATE

“I feel that it was my chamber music experience at Taos that has led me into a successful career with chamber music.”

Mary Ann Haley, Violin, 1971

CONCERTMASTER NORTH ARKANSAS AND GREAT FALLS SYMPHONIES

“When I was 16, I went to this wonderful camp in Taos, N.M. I fell in love with chamber music, right then and there.”

Bayla Keyes, Violin 1969-70

PIANIST WITH THE MARKHAM BROADWAY DUO / MUIR QUARTET, TRIPLE HELIX TRIO, BOSTON UN, TANGLEWOOD

“I often recall with fondness the hours of making music at the Hotel St. Bernard and now cherish more than ever the experience I gained there.”

Ken Broadway, Piano 1970 & 1972.

PIANIST WITH THE MARKHAM BROADWAY DUO