Young artist program

About

The Young Artist Program is at the heart of Cactus Pear Music Festival, offering talented emerging musicians the opportunity to learn, grow, and perform alongside world-class artists. Through mentorship, collaboration, and community performances, participants deepen their chamber music skills while connecting with audiences across San Antonio. The program helps nurture the next generation of performers while inspiring a lifelong love of classical music.

Young Artist Program

June 29 – July 19, 2026 | San Antonio, TX

We are pleased to present the 22nd Annual Young Artist Program (YAP)—an intensive, three-week, full-tuition scholarship for outstanding young instrumentalists. Each year, 4–9 students are selected to participate in chamber ensembles, private instruction, and performance opportunities alongside Festival Artists. Created to nurture the next generation of musicians in South Texas, the program offers talented high school and college students the chance to study and perform in a professional, collaborative environment. Led by Education Director Craig Sorgi and Artistic Director Jeffrey Sykes, YAP has supported and inspired over 120 young musicians since 2004, continuing our mission to pass the torch and keep chamber music thriving for years to come.

Cactus pear music festival's

Young Artist Program Overview

young artists will

  • Form chamber ensembles to study and perform chamber music
  • Work closely with Education Director Craig Sorgi, Education Assistant Karen Stiles, and Festival Artists
  • Participate in concerts, outreach performances, and professional development experiences

Instrumentation

  • Serious Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Cello students: ages 14–18 (instrumentation varies annually)
  • Serious Piano students: ages 14–20
  • Individual musicians and pre-formed chamber groups may apply.
  • Applicants must live in or near San Antonio, Texas.
    (Room and board not included.)

Intensive Course of Study

  • Five or six private lessons with Festival Artists
  • Six to ten chamber music coachings with Festival Artists
  • Daily supervised chamber rehearsals
  • Observation of Festival Artist rehearsals
  • Approximately 8 community outreach performances
  • Video-recorded performances shared with community organizations
  • Admission to all festival concerts
young artist program

Auditions & Applications

Applications for the 2026 season are now closed. Emerging musicians are invited each year to apply for mentorship and performance opportunities with festival artists through a competitive application and audition process. Check back for future announcements!

Application Deadline

  • Application deadlines are usually between March and April prior to the summer season festival.

Audition materials

Instrumentalists: two contrasting solo works

  • No accompanist required
  • Sight reading may be requested

Pianists: two solo works plus required chamber excerpts

Auditions

  • By appointment only at a location in San Antonio.
    Results announced the same day!
Diane Bennack Hall | University of the Incarnate Word


July 17 is our special Young Artist Program concert, showcasing the exceptional talent of our scholarship winners. This free performance will be hosted at Diane Bennack Hall at the University of the Incarnate Word and is our audience's chance to support the next generation of chamber musicians.

final young artist program concert

Friday, July 17 | 7 pm

Young Artists
Live In Performance

Experience the talent and artistry of our Young Artist Program through this performance by the 2024 cohort. These emerging musicians represent the next generation of classical artists, bringing passion, precision, and fresh perspective to the stage.

SCHEDULE

Young Artist Performances

Support the Next Generation of Artists

Help provide life-changing opportunities for young musicians through our Young Artist Program.