Master Classes at the Stulberg International String Competition are free and open to the public. Master Classes provide an opportunity for ALL area students, musicians and audiences to observe and learn from world-class artists.
Competition Master Classes will be held at Dalton Center on Western Michigan University’s campus in Kalamazoo, MI.
Special Event Master Classes will be held at Crescendo Acadameny of Music in Kalamazoo, MI.
COMPETITION MASTER CLASS CLINICIANS (May 16, 2026)
Suli Xue, violin
James Dunham, viola
Anne Francis-Bayless, cello
SPECIAL EVENT MASTER CLASS CLINICIANS (April 18, 2026)
Members of the Ariel String Quartet:
Gershon Gerchikov, violin
Alexandra "Sasha" Kazovsky, violin
ELIGIBILITY
- The 2026 Master Classes are open to violin, viola, and cello students.
- Applicants must be under the age of 20 as of January 1st, 2026.
- If selected to participate, the applicant must be in Kalamazoo, Michigan on the dates specified for each Master Class. The Stulberg will not make arrangements for travel/lodging for master class participants.
MASTER CLASS DETAILS
- Eligible violin, viola, and cello students are asked to apply and submit an audition video to determine participation in the master classes.
- Applicants may select a preference to participate in the Competition Master Classes, Special Event Master Classes, or both.
- Applications will be reviewed internally and 4-6 applicants will be selected for each instrument (violin, viola, cello).
- Selected applicants will be notified and assigned a 30-minute time slot between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 16th, 2026 for Competition Master Classes and/or between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026 for Special Event Master Classes.
- Applicants opting into both Competition and Special Event Master Classes must participate at both events if selected.
- Participants must bring their own piano accompanist. The Stulberg will provide your accompanist a $50 stipend for each performance. Practice rooms will be available on-site for rehearsals if needed. Time slots are assigned based on accompanist availability.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
- Master Class applicants must perform with live piano accompaniment, unless it is a solo work without accompaniment such as solo Bach for strings.
- Those selected to perform in the Master Classes must perform the same work as performed in the audition.
- Works composed with accompaniment should include live accompaniment in the application video.
- Pieces do not need to be performed from memory.
- It is recommended that applicants are at a minimum in Suzuki Book 4 (or comparable) or beyond.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
April 5, 2026
Master Class application fee ($30) will be paid when online application video is submitted.
