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MOSI Strings Academy - December 11-21, 2025​

An immersive academy for string players interested in chamber music and opera orchestra. 

FULL OR PARTIAL TUITION WAIVERS

NOW AVAILABLE

DUE TO THE GENEROSITY OF AN ANOYNMOUS DONOR

Applications for the 2025 Strings Academy are open.
 

Click here for the Strings Academy Application Form

Technical problems with the form? Email j.bradley.baker@musiconsite.org.

First Consideration Deadline: September 15, 2025
Final Submission Deadline: October 1, 2025 @ 11:59 PM

 

All applicants will be notified of the status of their audition by October 15, 2025

Applying is free and completely online. No in-person auditions are required.

PROGRAM DETAILS

The MOSI Strings Academy offers gifted string players the opportunity to gain further training with esteemed professionals in lessons, masterclasses, rehearsals, and chamber music coachings, as well as valuable experience in an opera orchestra.

Operas

- Participants will have the chance to perform in one of MOSI's professional opera productions, gaining invaluable experience in an opera orchestra. 

- Opera section and orchestra rehearsals every other day.

Chamber music concert

- Participants will be paired with colleagues and prepare an assigned chamber work for a performance on one of two chamber music concerts presented by MOSI. 

- Musicians receive coachings from faculty mentors on assigned chamber music repertoire.

Lessons

- Each participant will receive four lessons across the ten-day festival with MOSI esteemed faculty, tailored to their unique needs and interests.

- Lesson repertoire is not assigned and can be anything – scales, pieces, excerpts, etc. – that the participant and faculty choose.

Masterclasses and Studio Classes

- Several masterclasses and group studio sessions will be offered, providing a platform for participants to showcase their skills and learn from their peers.

Career Sessions

- Company personnel will present sessions on topics such as opera repertoire, orchestral auditions, professional materials, young artist programs, and the industry's best practices. These sessions are intended to equip participants with the essential tools and knowledge for navigating the professional music world.

2025 SEASON

Mainstage Productions for Strings Academy:

Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro

- Full orchestra

- Three performances

Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel

- String orchestra + piano

- Two performances

Chamber Music Concert:

Chamber Music Concert #1

Date TBD

Chamber Music Concert #2

Date TBD

Workshop Dates:

December 11-21, 2025

Location:

Friends University

2100 W University Ave

Wichita, Kansas

Questions?

Email info@MusicOnSite.org

FACULTY MENTORS

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Robert Kahn

Conductor

Dutch-American conductor ROBERT KAHN is known for his clarity, versatility, and command of both operatic and symphonic repertoire. A recipient of the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, he currently works closely with the singers and creative teams at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, where he recently led performances of Così fan tutte and prepared new productions for the 2024–2025 season. Kahn completed the Conducting Fellowship at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he was mentored by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Since then, he has built strong relationships with major orchestras across North America. Robert has collaborated with several of the world’s leading orchestras, serving as cover conductor for the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic. In the summer of 2024, he joined the New York Philharmonic on tour in Vail and Asia, and was recently invited by the Rotterdam Philharmonic to assist Yannick Nézet-Séguin on a major European tour of Wagner’s Die Walküre. As a guest conductor, Robert conducted the Mannes School of Music’s (Un)Silent Film production featuring Metropolis in concert, as well as Music On Site’s production of Don Giovanni. In the 2024–2025 season, Robert returned to the Mannes School of Music to conduct a contemporary opera and led Così fan tutte with the Academy of Vocal Arts, made his subscription debut with the Marin Symphony in California, served as cover conductor for Opera Philadelphia’s production of Don Giovanni, and returned to cover several programs with the New York Philharmonic.

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Madeleine Jansen

Violin Resident Artist

MADELEINE JANSEN is a dynamic violinist, educator, and arts advocate, praised by the San Francisco Classical Voice for her expressive interpretations across a wide repertoire. Dr. Jansen is currently Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola at Kansas State University. As a soloist and chamber musician, Jansen has performed throughout the U.S., Brazil, and Europe, and is a dedicated champion of contemporary music. Her recent work includes a recording of chamber music by Alexander Ouzounoff on the Klarthe Records label. Jansen is a co-founder and co-artistic director of “Chamber Music Kansas,” a concert series fostering cultural connection in Manhattan, KS. She has given masterclasses at institutions across the U.S. and Brazil including Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Oklahoma State University, Washburn University, Colorado State University, and the Corda International Music Festival, and previously taught a thriving private studio in New York City. Her students have gone on to top conservatories and music programs including the Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard pre-college divisions, San Francisco Conservatory, University of Michigan, Boston University, NYU, University of Maryland, and Vanderbilt University, Jansen earned degrees from Boston University, the Royal College of Music, UMass Amherst, and a doctorate from the University of Maryland, where her research focused on audience engagement.

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Ruben Balboa

Viola Resident Artist

RUBEN BALBOA is a violist, conductor, and educator recognized by the American Viola Society as an Emerging Artist (2021) and Emerging Teacher (2022). Balboa has performed with The Dallas Opera, Austin Symphony, Amarillo Symphony, and Austin Opera, and collaborates regularly with ensembles such as Austin Camerata, the Beerthoven Concert Series, and Candlelight Concerts. His chamber ensemble was awarded both Grand Prize and First Prize at the Coltman Chamber Music Competition. His greatest joy is performing with his wife, soprano Dr. Samantha Balboa, in programs that feature voice, viola, and piano. Dr. Balboa currently serves as Assistant Professor of Viola/Violin and String Music Education at Wichita State University. Prior to his appointment at WSU, he held faculty positions at The University of Texas at Austin, Illinois State University, Texas State University, and Southwestern University. He has conducted university and youth orchestras, guest conducted All-Region ensembles, and worked extensively with university string projects, mentoring students from undergraduate through doctoral levels. Beyond his university teaching, he also serves on the Board of the American Viola Society. A frequent presenter at conferences including ASTA, the International Viola Congress, and the National String Project Consortium, Balboa has also worked with the Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestra, Austin Chamber Music Center, Longhorn String Camp, and Youth Orchestras of San Antonio.

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J. Bradley Baker

Music Director, Music On Site

American conductor and coach J. BRADLEY BAKER enjoys a versatile career as a conductor, collaborative pianist and coach, educator, and music administrator. As a conductor and coach, Baker has led productions with Opera Naples, Opera Arlington, Chicago Summer Opera, Lawrence Opera Theatre, Opera Seme, Lyric Opera of Orange County, Landlocked Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, Natchez Festival of Music, Opera Birmingham, LOLA-Austin, Tabor College Opera, and University of Alabama Opera Theatre. Baker is the Director of the Maryland Opera Studio at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland; Principal Coach on the Music Staff of The Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, New York; and is Co-Founding Executive & Music Director of Music On Site. As a collaborative pianist and chamber musician, Baker has collaborated with many of the world's leading opera artists and has performed at many international and national conferences and festivals, including those of the International Double Reed Society, International Women’s Brass Conference, National Trumpet Competition, Hot Springs Music Festival, North American Viola Institute, Ad Astra Music Festival, National Opera Association, ClarinetFest, CollabFest, College Music Society, National Association of College Wind & Percussion Instructors, Music Teachers National Association, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing, among others.

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Haerim (Liz) Lee

Violin Resident Artist

Korean violinist, HAERIM ELIZABETH LEE captivates audiences by “leaving them breathless with impeccable phrasing and relevant musicality.” (El Norte, Mexico). Elizabeth has developed a playing style indicative of the very essence of her personality: passionate and deliberate and often witty. In 2015, Ms. Lee performed as the concertmaster with Yo-Yo Ma at the Kennedy Center Honors concert in Washington, D.C. to recognize Maestro Seiji Ozawa, which was attended by former President Barack Obama. Following her solo debut with orchestra at nine years old, she has been a guest soloist with the Winston-Salem Symphony, Symphony of the Mountains, New Amsterdam Symphony, Chelsea Symphony, Orquesta Sinfonica de la Unal, Seoul Virtuosi, Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Olimpia and Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinu. As a performing artist and scholar, Ms. Lee has established herself as a visionary and was the first recipient of the Tarisio Young Artist Grant as the Artistic Director of MoKo Musik for promotion and commission of Korean music. She is also the Co-Artistic Director of the Innsbrook Music Festival in Missouri and is a co-founder of Texas Chamber Music Institute. Elizabeth’s debut album, My Time is Now (INNOVA), is the first ever recording to feature George Gershwin’s recently restored Steinway piano from his New York apartment has been received with critical acclaim. “No one can do justice to this music without swagger and swing and (Ms. Lee) has plenty of it. After three hearings, this album continues to enchant me; it’s a keeper. (Performing Arts Monterey Bay). As a passionate educator, Dr. Lee mentors the faculty at an El-Sistema inspired program in New York, the Harmony Program and is currently the Director of Chamber Music and an Assistant Violin Professor at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.​

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Benjamin Cline

Cello Resident Artist

Benjamin Cline is an American cellist who has performed in dozens of venues in the United States, Europe, Middle East, and the Far East. He has appeared as soloist with many orchestras, including the Kaohsuing City Symphony Orchestra in Taiwan, was featured in performance on Public Radio's WXXI "Live from Hochstein" in Rochester, and has collaborated with many noted musicians, including Yumi Hwang-Williams, Jun Iwasaki, Theodor Kuchar, Richard Fuchs, and Tali Morgulis. He is a highly versatile musician, performing as recitalist, soloist, orchestral principal, and chamber musician. His repertoire is equally diverse, spanning from the 17th century works of Gabrielli to 21st century electroacoustic works for cello. Mr. Cline teaches at Fort Hays State University as Professor of Music and serves as Department Chair. He studied with Alan Harris at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Jim Fittz at the University of Northern Colorado. Master classes and additional studies were undertaken with Norman Fischer, Gordon Epperson, Anne Epperson, and members of the Cleveland and Juilliard String Quartets. Mr. Cline resides in Hays with his wife and enjoys spending his free time gardening, fishing, and cooking.

TUITION AND PAYMENT INFORMATION

No application fee.

Program tuition for applicants whose materials are received on or before September 15: $300

Program tuition for applicants whose materials are received between September 16 and October 1: $400

$150 deposit due on acceptance of participation offer

 

November 1 - Final Payment deadline

Forms of payment available: Venmo or Credit Card (via secure online form)

Housing is not included. MOSI will facilitate group contact once festival personnel are finalized, which will enable participants to make shared housing arrangements, if desired.

AUDITION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Violin: 

- Three audition videos (YouTube/Vimeo):
   1.
Concerto movement of your choice (exposition only; no accompaniment req'd)
   2. Two contrasting orchestral excerpts from https://orchestraexcerpts.com/violin

- Short biography (200 words or less)

- Contact information for one professional reference (can be major professor)

Viola: 

- Three audition videos (YouTube/Vimeo):

   1. One movement of unaccompanied Bach

   2. Two contrasting orchestral excerpts from https://orchestraexcerpts.com/viola

- Short biography (200 words or less)

- Contact information for one professional reference (can be major professor)

Cello:

- Three audition videos (YouTube/Vimeo):
   1. Concerto movement of your choice (exposition only; no accompaniment req'd)
   2.
Two contrasting orchestral excerpts from https://orchestraexcerpts.com/cello

- Short biography (200 words or less)

- Contact information for one professional reference (can be major professor)

 

Click here for the Strings Academy Application Form

Technical problems with the form? Email j.bradley.baker@musiconsite.org.

First Consideration Deadline: September 15, 2025
Final Submission Deadline: October 1, 2025 @ 11:59 PM
 

All applicants will be notified of the status of their audition by October 15, 2025

​​

Applying is free and completely online. No in-person auditions are required.

ABOUT MUSIC ON SITE, INC.

Our Mission:


Music On Site, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in Central Kansas with a mission of increasing the accessibility of music throughout Kansas by producing engaging performances in unique spaces. It partners with other organizations and cultural entities to create musical productions in some of Kansas’ most interesting, beautiful, and historic locations.

 

As part of its mission, Music On Site, Inc. develops performance opportunities in Kansas for musicians both from the region and without, which strengthens Kansas’ reputation within the arts community as a place on the cutting edge of music making and performance art.

Another goal of Music On Site’s work is to engage with Kansas schools, colleges, and educational organizations to strengthen the connection between Kansas’ students and emerging artists with the vibrant world of professional music.

 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

At Music On Site, Inc., we are committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and we are an equal opportunity employer. MOSI will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to eliminating barriers to access and equity and see a diverse workforce as a key step toward this goal. We invite you to join us on our journey.

Music On Site, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. The company has no paid staff, and all donations are tax-deductible and directly fund the productions. 

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