Along with performance, community is a big part of the Collingwood Music Festival, and that includes youth programming. The youth masterclass program will return this year for talented young pianists, cellists, violinists, and vocalists with some added perks.
The 2026 CMF Summer Masterclass Youth Academy will take place from July 6 to 10, 2026 at the Osler Bluff Ski Club in the scenic Blue Mountains. The week-long program will accommodate 30 talented musicians aged 25 years and under.
They’ll learn collaborate and perform while being mentored by world class musicians. Along with the musical training, they’ll be able to enjoy guided hikes and other outdoor activities in the region.
This year, for the first time, the Festival is able to offer the Youth Masterclass participants overnight accommodations without charge, along with full-tuition bursaries or scholarships for ten talented young musicians in order to help them access the valuable training opportunity.
The Collingwood Music Festival has announce the Faculty for 2026:
- Voice: Andrea Ludwig and Gino Quilico;
- Piano: Daniel Vnukowski;
- Violin: Sharon Lee;
- Trio in Residence: The Gryphon Trio — Roman Borys (cello), Jamie Parker (piano), and Annalee Patipatanakoon (violin).
“As Artistic Director, I love that I get to teach alongside my exceptional colleagues at this Masterclass. It’s a rare chance for young musicians to be able to do real, focused work indoors — and then simply step outside to take in those Niagara Escarpment views and let everything breathe for a moment,” says Daniel Vnukowski in a statement.
What They Said
Two talented young piano alumni share their thoughts on what made the 2025 CMF Masterclass experience most memorable for them.
Ivanna Chen, age 14, says, “It was so joyful to be able to finish off the days of masterclasses with a final performance. While we were backstage, it felt like everyone was a team. We were cheering each other on as we took turns taking the stage. It was very much fun to be around people who are like-minded.”
Titus Lam, age 12, shares his thoughts on the highlights of his experience. “Learning from the masterclass teachers, Ms. Angela Park and Mr. Daniel Vnukowski, and having the opportunity to perform on a beautiful stage,” he says. His offers his advice to 2026 masterclass participants. “Enjoy the music and have fun on stage.”
How to Participate
Here are the details on how young pianists, violinists, cellists and vocalists can participate in the 2026 CMF Summer Masterclass Youth Academy from July 6 to 10, 2026, including a concert during the Festival on July 10.
- Register to secure your audition spot now, then submit their Audition Video by March 15.
- The Registration Form is located at the bottom of the page [HERE].
- Results will be announced by April 1.
Regular tuition is $299 per student, which includes overnight accommodation. There is an optional meal plan for $40 per day which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Find more details at the link [HERE].
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