About

The Center Stage Strings (CSS) institute is a four-week summer music immersion (June 21 – July 18, 2026) for dedicated young string players, held at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD). Founded by violinist and U-M professor Danielle Belen, CSS is an MPulse Summer Institute that attracts serious pre-college and early collegiate musicians (typically ages 13–26) through a highly competitive audition process. Participants engage in daily technique classes, weekly private lessons, and frequent chamber music rehearsals coached by expert faculty, alongside masterclasses and guest artist recitals.

Tuition for 2026 is $5,250, which includes room and board; residential housing is provided in U-M residence halls for minors (13–17) and adult on-campus housing for those 18 and older. Admission is capacity-limited, with priority applications due by January 15, 2026.

CSS’s pedagogical core is intensive practice and performance. The schedule balances rigorous musical development with community-building activities like kayaking on the Huron River. Performance is deeply integrated into the curriculum: participants play in studio classes, outreach concerts, and the Friday Night Young Artist Series. A premier highlight for the 2026 season is a collaborative chamber music showcase at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival on June 26.

Instruction is grounded in high-level training that mirrors a pre-professional apprenticeship, emphasizing technical mastery and interpretive depth. While the program does not confer college credit, it is designed to launch students into the college audition process with sharpened skills and a portfolio of high-level performance experience. The 2026 faculty includes renowned U-M professors and guest artists, maintaining CSS’s reputation as a top-tier destination for emerging string artistry.