TSoM Young Artists

TRANSFORM YOUR MUSIC.
TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE!

Life at Taos is waking up breathing fresh mountain air from
your charming home located in the mountains of northern
New Mexico.

This remarkable place is where incredible friendships are formed, mountain experiences are discovered, and lasting memories are created.

Experience our unique music festival. Taos’ format is unusual because students study a variety of chamber works that are unfamiliar and not preassigned before arrival. It’s a real-life experience; the pressure of preparing a new piece in a short period of time while learning to work and communicate with a variety of personalities. 

We invite you to be challenged & inspired!

Get Ready for an Extraordinary Summer!

Experience an atmosphere
of care and encouragement

Learn challenging pieces and
deliver excellent performances.

Chamber Music Intensive

Study in a focused environment
with few distractions.

Exceptional Faculty

Train with remarkable professional quartets and the finest pianists
in the country. 

Beautiful Location

Taos Ski Valley is enchanting.  Experience the serenity of the mountains.

A Friendly, Authentic Experience

Study in a non-competitive atmosphere with talented colleagues.

Discover New Mexico

Experience the history and beauty of
the American Southwest. Explore
the area on planned outings.

Get a glimpse of student life!

What does intensive chamber music study in the remote alpine mountains of northern New Mexico really look like?

Get a glimpse of student life!

What does intensive chamber music study in the remote alpine mountains of northern New Mexico really look like?

Get a glimpse of student life!

What does intensive chamber music study in the remote alpine mountains of northern New Mexico really look like?

Get a glimpse of student life!

What does intensive chamber music study in the remote alpine mountains of northern New Mexico really look like?


“After living in an idyllic landscape, working with generous, knowledgeable, and renowned faculty, and collaborating with fellow musicians who become a second family, I wish to immerse myself in such an environment once again. 
The caliber of musicianship at Taos is unparalleled, and my eight weeks of study there were the most musically 
fulfilling of my life.”

Sara Rossi, 2016/17

“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 2001/03
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 1992/93
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 1970/72
PIANIST WITH THE MARKHAM BROADWAY DUO