The Music Conservatory of Westchester is honored to announce MCW Prep, a pre-college training program for serious, advanced high school instrumentalists and singers to study with master performers of the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Students are selected by audition to enroll in an intensive program of private lessons with a master teacher, as well as chamber music, theory, master classes, performance, audition preparation, and college advisement. As soloists and in ensembles with their talented peers, students will channel their musical aspirations to prepare for college studies and future careers.
MCW Roundtable featuring MCW Prep Faculty
Music Conservatory of Westchester’s Dean of Students and Faculty, Douglas Bish, had an insightful conversation with esteemed MCW Prep faculty members Jerry Grossman (Metropolitan Opera Orchestra), Mindy Kaufman (New York Philharmonic), Ani Kavafian (Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center), Korliss Uecker (Metropolitan Opera), and Rebecca Young (New York Philharmonic).
In the roundtable discussion, these master performers and teachers share how their musical interests, training, and careers, as well as how to practice effectively, “win” at auditions, and continue a student’s progress during the pandemic.
Watch on Youtube


– Ani Kavafian, violin
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center,
Yale University School of Music
– Rebecca Young, viola
New York Philharmonic
– Jerry Grossman, cello
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
– Mindy Kaufman, flute
New York Philharmonic
– Pavel Vinnitsky, clarinet
New York Philharmonic
– Korliss Uecker, soprano
Metropolitan Opera
– Stefan Szkafarowsky, bass
Metropolitan Opera
Auditions continue by appointment.
Audition Requirements:
- Should be a serious music student, possibly with aspirations about college study at a music conservatory or university and a professional performing career.
- Minimum Age – Must be Entering Grade 9
- Maximum Age – Grade 12
- Completed Application (Application below)
- Audition Video – High-quality video of at least TWO musical selections in contrasting styles. (Can be a recording from a performance or self-made video. Singers should be accompanied.)
- Recordings must be recent: made no more than four months prior to application.
- Please label each upload with the name of the work. *DO include your name.
- We recommend listening to your recordings prior to uploading.
For additional questions, please contact Dr. Douglas Bish, Dean of Students and Faculty: doug@musiced.org