Fischoff Chamber Music Academy
The Fischoff National Chamber Music Association is committed to inspiring the next generation of chamber musicians. Established in 1999, the Fischoff Chamber Music Academy, formerly known as the Fischoff Mentoring Project, is helping to create a chamber music community among local area junior high and high school musicians who are dedicated to digging deeper into the challenging repertoire of chamber music. Each year, string, piano, woodwind, brass, and mixed ensembles of three to six musicians in Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan are selected to participate in a September-June cohort of like-minded individuals seeking specialized classical music education, fostering artistic excellence, collaboration, and confidence.
Why Chamber Music?
Chamber music places students at the center of the musical experience. Through shared responsibility, students learn to listen deeply, lead with intention, and collaborate respectfully—skills that extend far beyond the stage. Students typically do not receive this type of high-quality chamber music education through the school year, which makes our program unique.
Our Connection to Fischoff
As a program of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association, the Academy reflects Fischoff’s longstanding commitment to artistic excellence, education, and community engagement. Students have the opportunity to work with Fischoff Competition alumni, including medalists and Grammy award winners.
Offerings
- 8-12 professional coaching sessions per Academy year
- Competition preparation
- Community outreach performance opportunities
- Masterclass opportunities
- Workshops
- Annual public concert
Quick Links For Students and Families
Tuition and Financial Aid
As funding for the arts is being significantly reduced, Fischoff is implementing a tuition charge for the 2025-26 Academy year, which runs concurrently with the school year. Fischoff invests $900 per student each year, and thanks to the generous support of community organizations and donors, this program is heavily subsidized. In return for this generous scholarship, all Academy students will continue to pay it forward by giving back to the community through free outreach concerts and volunteer service with the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association.
Details:
- Every student accepted into the Academy will automatically receive a generous 75% scholarship ($675 value) toward their tuition. Tuition for the 25-26 Academy year will be $250 for the entire year, with payment installment options available.
- Additional scholarships will be available based on financial need and ensemble needs, with some students paying as little as $40 per year.
- Academy students interested in applying for the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition should be sure to let their ensemble coach know in the fall semester.
Fischoff remains committed to making the Academy accessible to all talented young musicians. Our tuition cost is significantly lower than comparable programs for the quality of programming and education the Academy provides. In return for this generous scholarship, all Academy students will continue to pay it forward by giving back to the community through free outreach concerts and volunteer service with the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association.
Academy Resident Student Ensemble
This advanced group is selected to represent the Academy and uphold Fischoff’s values through high-level performances and outreach.
Resident Ensemble members will:
- Be the first to be contacted for special performances outside the regular Academy calendar of events.
- Lead and perform outreach events, especially school recruitment visits.
- Help design interactive, age-appropriate school programming and present polished performances at high-profile events.
- Receive a tuition scholarship.
2025-2026 Academy Resident Student Ensemble:
Claro Quartet, coached by Cynthia Katsarelis
Reah Frydrych, violin; Lucy Madison, violin; David Polaniecki, viola; Axel Davis, cello
Kenneth Geoffroy Memorial Award
The Kenneth Geoffroy Memorial Prize is awarded to a local Junior Division ensemble to encourage the participation of local chamber music ensembles in the Fischoff Competition. A special $800 cash prize and masterclass by one of the Fischoff Competition jurors is awarded to the highest-ranking junior ensemble from the Michiana region (60-mile radius of South Bend).
2025 Winner:
Benediction Trio coached by Luis Enrique Vargas
Cathy Lutz, violin; Jonathan Aizigov, cello; Ignatius Caro, piano
2025-2026 Schedule
FALL SEMESTER
Art Beat, Downtown South Bend Saturday, August 9 @ 12:00 PM
Kickoff Meeting, The Pasture Room at the Roger B. Francis Branch Saturday, September 27 @ 1:00 PM
Workshop with the Katarina String Quartet, LaBar Recital Hall, O'Neill Hall of Music, University of Notre Dame Monday, October 13 @ 5:45 PM
Masterclass with the Verona String Quartet, Michuda Rehearsal Hall, O'Neill Hall of Music, University of Notre Dame Thursday, November 13 @ 5:45 PM
Holiday in the Gallery, South Bend Museum of Art Friday, December 5 @ 6:00 PM
Hubbard Hill Holiday Open House, Hubbard Hill Living Wisdom Community Sunday, December 14 @ 2:00 PM
SPRING SEMESTER
Concert Series Performance, Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame Sunday, February 8 @ 1:00 PM
South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras - Midori Residency: Chamber Music Masterclass with Violinist Clara Kim, Goshen College Music Center Saturday, February 21 @ 10:00 AM
*Entries due for any groups entering the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Wednesday, February 18 @ 11:59 PM
Side-by-Side with the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras and Midori, Sauder Concert Hall, Goshen College Music Center Sunday, February 22 @ 4:00 PM
Masterclass with the Euclid Quartet, Louise E. Addicott & Yatish J. Joshi Performance Hall, Indiana University South Bend Thursday, March 5 @ 5:00 PM
Concert Series Performance, Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame Sunday, March 8 @ 1:00 PM
Fischoff Chamber Music Academy Spring Recital, Louise E. Addicott & Yatish J. Joshi Performance Hall, Indiana University South Bend Saturday, March 28 @ 2:00 PM
Concert Series Performance, Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame Sunday, April 19 @ 1:00 PM
Masterclass with Josh Aerie, cellist of the Sylvan Trio, Room EA 1103, Education and Arts Building, Indiana University South Bend Thursday, May 14 @ 6:00 PM
53rd Annual Fischoff Competition *Chamber Music Academy students are required to volunteer a minimum 2 hours at the competition Friday - Sunday, May 8 - 10
Fischoff Chamber Music Academy Pam and Dan Chipman Recital, LaBar Recital Hall, O'Neill Hall of Music, University of Notre Dame Sunday, June 7 @ 1:00 PM
Concert Series Performance, Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame Sunday, June 8 @ 1:00 PM
Support the Fischoff Chamber Music Academy
Your Support Makes a Difference
The Fischoff Chamber Music Academy serves dozens of young musicians annually, providing high-level instruction, mentorship, and performance opportunities regardless of financial means.
2024-2025 Impact Highlights
- Students from diverse schools and communities: 19 ensembles containing students from 20 schools across Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan
- 2,760 audience members reached through performances and outreach
- Alumni who continue into advanced musical study and leadership roles
Ways to Give
- Make a gift – click here to visit our donation page
- Sponsor a student or ensemble
- Book an ensemble for your event
- Attend or host outreach performances
- Volunteer at Academy events
Please contact Megan Simmons, Fischoff Chamber Music Academy Director, at megan@fischoff.org to learn more.
2025-2026 Underwriters
Corporate & Foundation Sponsors
1st Source Foundation
Anonymous
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Community Foundation of Elkhart County
Community Foundation of St. Joseph County
Cressy & Everett Real Estate
Elkhart Education Foundation
Everwise Credit Union
The Frederick S. Upton Foundation
Gurley Leep Automotive Family
The Hibberd
Lake City Bank
Miller Poultry
Notre Dame Federal Credit Union
PBS Michiana – WNIT
South Bend Area Music Teachers Association’s Elnora Hartman Stickley Scholarship Fund
The Stscherban Everett Garwood Group – Baird Private Wealth Management
University of Notre Dame
Individual Sponsors
Anonymous
Tammy & Rick Bailey
Tom & Kathy Brickley
Tessa Bysong & Derek Lindblom
Pam & Dan Chipman
Don Crafton & Susan Ohmer
Hal & Rhonda Culbertson
John De Souza & Maggie McShane
Mary Harder & Wesley Mark
Harriet Hamer & Abram Bergen
Holly & Jim Harris
Angela & Vincent Henderson
Deborah Hershey-Miller & Jeff Miller
Pat & Robert Kill
Nels Leininger & Gail English
Sue Neeb & Galen Miller
Doug Osthimer & Susan Devetski
Teresa Roberts
Elle Schultz & Kyle Everett
Jeny & John Sejdinaj
Melanie Smith-Guillaume & Alfred J Guillaume, Jr.
Special thanks to Pam & Dan Chipman for their transformational gift benefitting the Fischoff Academy.
Thank you to the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra for their generous support and collaboration.
This activity is made possible, in part, with support from the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s ArtsEverywhere Initiative, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.