Founded in 1944 by legendary violin pedagogue Ivan Galamian, the Meadowmount School of Music is a renowned seven-week summer program for violinists, violists, and cellists, ages 10 to 30, from around the world. Located on a serene 240-acre campus in New York’s Adirondack Mountains, Meadowmount is a beloved and unique place. It combines the very best aspects of a music conservatory, summer camp, the Adirondacks, and a deep personal commitment on the part of each young artist.

Meadowmount alumni include many of the most celebrated names in Classical Music today—Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Pinchas Zukerman, Kyung-Wha Chung, Joshua Bell, Jaime Laredo, James Ehnes, Marin Alsop, Karina Canellakis, Jessie Montgomery, Tommy Mesa, and so many more. Meadowmount continues to honor its extraordinary legacy while evolving to meet the needs of today’s aspiring musicians—emphasizing not only musical excellence, but also personal well-being, resilience, and belonging. What sets Meadowmount apart is not only its artistic rigor, but its deep care for the whole student.

Set in the heart of the Adirondacks, Meadowmount offers something increasingly rare for young musicians: true immersion in nature. For many students, it’s their first time waking up to the sound of birdsong, walking wooded paths between practice cabins, or watching mist rise from the fields after an early morning lesson. The environment itself becomes part of the learning—where music and nature together create space for deep focus, reflection, and creativity. It’s not uncommon for students to describe Meadowmount as a place where they not only grew musically, but also began to feel more grounded, inspired, and connected to themselves and their surroundings. In this way, the setting becomes more than a backdrop—it becomes a teacher of its own.

Many students return year after year. Others return decades later—as faculty, mentors, or guest artists—continuing the Meadowmount tradition of excellence, generosity, and lifelong connection. As Ivan Galamian envisioned, Meadowmount remains “a school with a special spirit”—one that challenges, inspires, and transforms.

Life at Meadowmount is a rare and immersive experience designed for serious young musicians who are ready to dedicate themselves to their craft. Tucked away in the quiet beauty of New York’s Adirondack Mountains, Meadowmount offers more than just world-class music training—it provides a supportive, focused community where music becomes not only the language, but the lifestyle.

Each summer, 180+ students, ages 13 to 30, come from across the globe to live and study on the 245-acre Meadowmount campus (students under 13 attend, if they are able to live off campus). Divided into age-appropriate dormitories, cottages, and cabins, students quickly form close bonds through shared living, learning, and performing. Students under 18 are guided and supported by live-in counselors. Though everyone arrives with different backgrounds and experiences, the shared purpose of musical growth creates an immediate sense of connection.

The daily schedule at Meadowmount is carefully structured to allow each student the time and space needed to focus deeply on their instrument. Each morning begins with four hours of solo practice, followed by an additional hour in the late afternoon. Weekly lessons, studio classes, chamber rehearsals, and coachings form the foundation of the program. Concerts, masterclasses, and special programming offer opportunities to perform, learn from visiting artists, and support fellow students.

The facilities reflect this focus: from the 500-seat concert hall to intimate practice cabins, students are surrounded by spaces that inspire and foster creativity. But there’s balance too… recreational options like basketball, soccer, table tennis, and field trips provide students with time to recharge. Whether it’s a hike up Mt. Inez or through Twin Valleys, a visit to Lake Placid, or a fun-filled day at Six Flags, students are encouraged to step away from their instruments and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

Meals are served three times daily in the campus dining room, with options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. Social spaces like the Sally Thomas Recreation Center and the Main House common room allow students to unwind with games, chess, puzzles, or just a good conversation.

Safety and well-being are taken seriously. Younger students are always supervised during outings and on-campus activities, and crossing the campus road—County Route 10—is only done with caution and supervision. Weekly laundry service, dedicated housekeeping staff, and on-campus luthier services ensure that daily life runs smoothly, letting students stay focused on music.

Ultimately, life at Meadowmount is rewarding. It’s a place where practice becomes purpose, where lifelong friendships are formed over chamber rehearsals, and where music isn’t just something you do—it’s who you are.

For many students, Meadowmount isn’t just a summer program. It’s a vital chapter in their musical journey, one filled with growth, inspiration, and memories that last far beyond the final performance.