Artist-in-Residence Program for Emerging Young Violinists

Apply to be INTEMPO’s Inaugural Artist-in-Residence

In celebration of our 15th anniversary, INTEMPO is seeking applications for our inaugural artist-in-residency, which for a term of two years will provide an early-career violinist with the exclusive use of an 1880 Giuseppe Sgarbi violin that was given to INTEMPO by an anonymous donor. Access to this rare violin, which has an appraised value of $65,000 - $100,000, will propel the artist’s career forward. Additionally, the residency will provide performance and teaching opportunities at INTEMPO, a $10,000 annual stipend, an annual commissioned work, and concert appearances with Orchestra Lumos, Fairfield County’s foremost professional orchestra, led by renowned conductor Michael Stern.

The emerging artist will receive a career-advancing opportunity with a valuable instrument and community connection during a typically itinerant career phase, while INTEMPO students will gain invaluable learning experiences, inspiration from a young mentor, and exposure to professional-level musicianship. Ideal applicants will be true “citizen artists,” possessing not only performance ability but also a demonstrated commitment to education and community engagement. Applicants can be conservatory students, recent graduates, freelance soloists, educators, chamber musicians, orchestra musicians, or engaged in other careers — so long as they are able to commit to the residency workload. (See “Residency Duties” below.)

Founded in 2011, INTEMPO teaches multicultural and classical music to children predominantly from immigrant backgrounds. We reach over 700 children annually across our afterschool, in-school, summer, and partnership programs in Lower Fairfield County, CT. We have received national recognition for our music education and youth development efforts, including the 2022 Lewis Prize for Music Accelerator Award and the 2019 Adolf Busch Award.

Formerly known as Stamford Symphony, Orchestra Lumos is the preeminent orchestra serving all of Fairfield County, CT. Orchestra Lumos is expanding in multiple dimensions, bringing more of the music you love throughout Fairfield County. Our mission is to present exceptional musical experiences, from awe-inspiring concerts with world-renowned soloists to family-friendly programs that captivate all ages. We’re also expanding our reach with intimate performances in smaller spaces, hands-on education programs, and community presentations across the county. While our home base is The Palace Theatre in Stamford, you can also experience our music in venues from Greenwich to

Bridgeport, including local libraries, schools, museums, breweries, places of worship, and community centers.

Residency Benefits

For a term of two years — beginning on June 1, 2026 and concluding on May 31, 2028 — the artist-in-residence will receive:

• Exclusive use of INTEMPO’s 1880 Giuseppe Sgarbi violin (valued at $65,000 - $100,000) for all of their musical endeavors, not just limited to INTEMPO.
• $10,000 annual stipend.
• Annual commissioned work to be premiered at INTEMPO’s Cultural Crossover Concert.
• Paid opportunity to perform a concerto with Orchestra Lumos and their music director Michael Stern in their season opener concerts on October 24 and 25, 2026.
• Paid opportunity to perform chamber music in Orchestra Lumos’ Small Space Series during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.

Residency Duties

The artist-in-residence will be responsible for:

• Participating in a minimum of ten INTEMPO events per year (not including rehearsals),

  including the following:

  • Cultural Crossover Concert (March or April), which brings together 100+ students

    from INTEMPO and the Norwalk Youth Symphony to perform repertoire from a

    specific Latin American musical culture.

  • Hispanic Heritage Month Concert Series (October), which showcase a mixed ensemble

    of our advanced students and teaching artists.

  • Masterclasses with our advanced students working on classical repertoire (sonatas,

    concerti, etc.).

  • Benefit concerts.

  • Private concerts for donors.

• Producing a monthly update about their musical endeavors.

• Serving more generally as a near-peer mentor for INTEMPO students.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Born on or between June 2, 1997 and June 1, 2005.

Primary residence is in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or

Massachusetts.

Timeline

• January 5, 2026 - Application opens.

• March 29, 2026 - Application submission deadline.

• April 19, 2026 - Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance to the second round.

• May 3, 2026 - Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance to the final round.

• May 23, 2026 - All-day final round at Emerson Hall in Stamford.

• May 30, 2026 - Artist-in-residence is announced.

• June 12, 2026 - Artist-in-residence’s debut recital at the Kweskin Theatre in Stamford.

Selection Process

First Round

Video submissions will be reviewed by the following judges:

• Lou Chen, INTEMPO CEO

• Marna Seltzer, Princeton University Concerts director

• Darwin Shen, INTEMPO teaching artist

Written materials will be reviewed by the following judges:

• Lou Chen, INTEMPO CEO

• Robbin Juris, INTEMPO director of development

• Ethan Petno, INTEMPO volunteer

   

Second Round

Video submissions for 15-20 semifinalists will be reviewed by the following judges:

• Jordan Bak, violist

• Stefan Jackiw, violinist

• Yoonshin Song, Houston Symphony concertmaster

   

Final Round

Five finalists will be invited to an all-day final round on Saturday, May 23, 10AM-9PM at Emerson Hall in Stamford. They will be required to prepare 20 minutes of music in addition to a new work by INTEMPO teaching artist Icli Zitella. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided, as well as a $300 travel stipend. The schedule will be as follows:

10:00AM Interviews (30mins per finalist)
12:30PM Lunch break
1:20PM Private performance of Zitella commission (10mins per finalist) 2:10PM Break
2:30PM Private masterclass with two INTEMPO students (15mins per student,

30mins total per finalist) 5:00PM Dinner break

7:00PM Public recital (20mins per finalist)

9:00PM End

The final judging committee will be chaired by INTEMPO CEO Lou Chen and comprised of:

• Deborah Buck, Orchestra Lumos concertmaster

• Robbin Juris, INTEMPO director of development

• Michael Stern, Orchestra Lumos music director

• Geo Suquillo, INTEMPO lead teaching artist

   

Debut Recital

The winner will make their INTEMPO debut on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Kweskin Theatre in Stamford. They will be responsible for preparing a 30- to 45-minute solo program (with piano accompaniment provided by INTEMPO), premiering the Zitella work, and performing Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, each movement with a different INTEMPO student or teaching artist.