Is IMIF For You?

If you're a music student looking for an opportunity to meet with young and serious musicians from around the world, as well as receive expert guidance from acclaimed performers and teachers, we welcome you to apply to the International Music Institute and Festival USA.

This unique summer program brings together some of the most talented young musicians from around the world and includes a variety of learning experiences to facilitate musical and personal development.

The faculty include acclaimed performers and teachers who have performed as soloists or as members of major orchestras around the world. Students receive four individual lessons in the 10-day period, perform in student ensembles, attend daily lectures, workshops, and concerts by faculty and guest artists, and perform in concerts, both at MSMU and in surrounding areas. In addition, students participate in recreational activities including hiking and swimming, and receive career guidance from their faculty mentors.

The International Music Institute and Festival is hosted by Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland – just an hour from Washington and Baltimore. This safe, peaceful, and serene environment is the ideal location for young musicians to meet, learn, and perform.

Testimonials

"Between extensive master classes, hours spent in the lounge with the crowd, and priceless fun at the lake, IMIF-USA was definitely the highlight of my summer. It was filled with excitement, learning, and productivity (not to mention good food). What else could you want? The atmosphere was not competitive but friendly and focused on progress. The lessons themselves were incredibly helpful – I learned new things in every lesson, worked on skills I need to improve as a musician, and therefore improved greatly even in a short amount of time. It was also wonderful to watch other lessons; almost like getting a free lesson for yourself. Playing chamber music was incredibly helpful in developing my listening skills and co-dependence on others. Coming from a pretty much music-less home, with non-instrumentalists as my friends, I had the impression that I was the only dedicated young musician out there. After being with these awesome people for ten days, I now know how much more I can do, how much fun it can be, and how much it pays off!"

Dor Zmora, Cellist (Israel/Maryland)

"It is amazing to have a vacation-like program with young musicians that take their careers seriously. IMIF is a very friendly place with teachers and performers of the highest level. It is very interesting to have master classes with world-renowned artists. But what I liked the most was the experience of playing chamber music with very nice people. I had to learn the music in a week and I definitely learned a lot. I recommend that any person with a love in music attend IMIF. Many of the people I met there are my best friends now. It was an exceptional experience."

Patricio Molina, Pianist (Chile/New Jersey)

"IMIF is one of those experiences you will never forget. It's a vacation where you learn to master what you love with some of the greatest teachers in the world. Whether you realize it or not, you learn how important friendship and dedication is. You make so many friends, and sometimes they teach you lessons that will impact your life in incredible ways... As do the amazing teachers who give their time working to help students. I grew so much at IMIF, both as a musician and a person. I'm still growing off of those experiences, and am well looking forward to next year."

Maddie Clifton, Cellist (Maryland)

"IMIF impressed me with it's great teachers, facilities and concerts. Lots new experiences, like participating in the concert tour and various other performances, helped me overcome my initial shyness, and also gave me lots of opportunities to improve my skills. One of the many things I liked about IMIF was the reflection time at breakfast, which was a great time for everyone to share personal experiences; and the morning exercises, which warm up the muscles you'll be using throughout the day. I also made friends with people from around the globe, including my host family, whom I still stay in touch with."

Melody Cheng, Violinist (Taiwan)

"My daughter, Yuka, has been growing up with IMIF. She has attended since 2004, and has studied violin with great teachers and made good progress each year. She also made a lot of friends and had great experiences, playing chamber music and in the IMIF orchestra, as well as solo performances. And her favorite part was the concert tour after the Festival. Our host family is now like our family, and their home is like our second home. IMIF is a great place to learn and grow musically, but not only. It's a place to grow as a person and make friends with people from around the world."

Yoshie Kubota, Mother (Japan/Maryland)

"The best part of IMIF was being able to connect every day with
amazing musicians of all ages and experiences. The instructors are
superb and they are always available for questions and advice. It was
a great challenge and learning experience to have many performance
opportunities in a small amount of time!"

Solange Guillaume, Pianist (Minnesota)

"My daughter’s experience at IMIF was an intense musical experience as well as life experience. Maddie has attended IMIF for several years, beginning at age 13. There are so many amazing aspects of IMIF, including the staff, the lectures, THE CONCERTS, and the serene location. However, the most impressive aspect was what Maddie brought home from IMIF and integrated in her everyday life. She brought home a heightened and renewed commitment to her music; she brought home the understanding that a musician is a whole person, not just someone who can play musical notes and that in order to be a musician, a person must be attentive to all aspects of their life including their mind, body and musical spirit. She was given the tools to effectuate this understanding of a “total musician” and continues to use these invaluable tools in her everyday life. Last, but not least, Maddie met some incredible people from all over the world with whom she stays in touch and is proud to count them among her friends today."

Kim Clifton, Mother (Maryland)

"This camp was definitely beneficial to my musicianship and technique as well as my appreciation of music. There, I also participated in one improvisation class, which inspired me to compose, imagine, and interpret music. Along with that came exercise, awareness, and the challenge to open my mind to get a better view on things. I enjoyed the musical atmosphere, the well-arranged program, and the quiet yet convenient camp location."

Clemens N. Hsiao, Cellist (West Virginia)