Conservatory Academy Programs
The Academy Program for Young Artists offers participants a comprehensive music education featuring inspiring opportunities to creatively work and perform with professional musicians and world-renowned instructors.
The Academy Program is designed for exceptionally talented young individuals seeking to advance their performance skills. Participants gain valuable artistic exposure through regular performance opportunities for peers, faculty members, guest artists and the public.
Operating primarily on Mondays (depending on the instrument) from September to May, the program offers a range of classes and activities in a supportive and encouraging environment. Key components included in the tuition are:
*Collaborative pianist hours vary depending on the level and instrumentation. Some instruments do not get access to a collaborative pianist and pay a lower tuition rate.
* Academy tuition covers 50% of the tuition portion of select Conservatory large ensembles.
- Weekly masterclasses with distinguished Academy faculty, accompanied by collaborative pianists.
- Regular sessions with world-renowned guest artists
- Weekly chamber music or group classes tailored to different skill levels
- Frequent recitals aimed at nurturing confidence and stage presence
- Assigned hours with a collaborative pianist*
- Participation in a Conservatory large ensemble**
- Optional elective classes catering to diverse skills, levels and age groups
For most instrumentation, the Academy Program comprises four levels: Junior, Intermediate, Associate and Senior. Class sizes are small, allowing for personalized attention and interaction between teachers and students. For university-level students, see our Advanced Performance Program.
Admission is based on an audition for new students, while existing participants undergo yearly re-auditions to assess their standing. Private lessons with a teacher of choice (private lesson teacher does not have to be at the Conservatory) are mandatory and not included in tuition.
Graduates of the program are highly regarded, often continuing their musical studies at leading post-secondary institutions in Canada, the United States and Europe.
Students admitted to the program may receive generous subsidies through the Conservatory Young Artist Grant, historically ranging from $800 to $4,450. Additionally, prospective students can apply for further scholarships and bursaries ranging from $100 to $5,000.
Who is the Academy Program for?
Any emerging young artist in Calgary or the surrounding area who shows clear talent, passion and dedication to their music studies is eligible to apply.
Entrance Requirements
Admission to the program involves two steps:
Step 1: Submit an Online Application
- Apply now to either the Conservatory Academy Program, or the Conservatory Advanced Performance Programs.
- The deadline to apply is May 15, 2026.
Step 2: Complete an Audition
- Auditions will be scheduled starting late April.
- Auditions take place in person the last two weeks of May.
- Students are notified of audition results no later than July 2, 2026.
Step 3: Tuition and scholarships
- Students must pay their tuition by August 1, 2026 to secure their spot in the program.
- Students can apply for scholarships and bursaries by filling out the Scholarship and Bursary Application Form.
- Payment plan options are also available.
Academy Strings
Audition requirements for strings:
- Two contrasting pieces of your choosing and two scales
- Please note that violin students accepted into the Academy Program, may have to play viola in a chamber ensemble.
- Junior level: two or three octaves showing slow legato style with vibrato, fast slurred bowing and spiccato
- Intermediate and up: three octaves showing slow legato style with vibrato, fast slurred bowing and spiccato
Tuition for strings:
- Junior Academy Tuition: $4,000
- Junior Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $1,490
- Intermediate Academy Tuition: $5,900
- Intermediate Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $2,240
- Associate Academy Tuition: $6,700
- Associate Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $2,550
- Senior Academy Tuition: $7,000
- Senior Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant: $2,760
Figures shown include an estimate of subsidization from the Young Artist Grant. The funding amounts from the Young Artist Grant can change year to year.
Academy Strings runs on Monday nights.
Academy Brass and Woodwinds
Audition requirements for brass and woodwinds:
- Two contrasting pieces of your choosing and scales
- Please choose one major and one minor scale of your choice, complementing your level of achievement. Scales should be two octaves, three if possible. If you are a younger applicant, one octave will suffice.
- Please play one chromatic scale, starting on the lowest possible note and going to your highest possible note. Brass and woodwind applicants, please slur.
Tuition for brass and woodwinds:
- Junior Academy Tuition: $4,000
- Junior Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $1,490
- Intermediate Academy Tuition: $5,900
- Intermediate Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $2,240
- Associate Academy Tuition: $6,700
- Associate Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $2,550
- Senior Academy Tuition: $7,000
- Senior Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant: $2,760
Figures shown include an estimate of subsidization from the Young Artist Grant. The funding amounts from the Young Artist Grant can change year to year.
Academy Brass and Woodwinds runs on Monday nights.
Academy Piano
Audition requirements for piano:
- Two selections: a work or movement from the classical period and a contrasting work from another period
- Scales are not required for piano auditions
Tuition for piano:
- Junior Academy Tuition: $4,000
- Junior Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $1,390
- Intermediate Academy Tuition: $5,900
- Intermediate Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $2,140
- Associate Academy Tuition: $6,700
- Associate Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $2,450
- Senior Academy Tuition: $7,000
- Senior Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant: $2,660
Figures shown include an estimate of subsidization from the Young Artist Grant. The funding amounts from the Young Artist Grant can change year to year.
Academy Piano runs on Monday nights.
Academy Guitar
Audition requirements for guitar:
Guitar applicants should prepare two contrasting pieces and expect a short sight-reading test and interview.
Tuition for guitar:
- Junior Academy Tuition: $4,000
- Junior Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $1,390
- Intermediate Academy Tuition: $5,900
- Intermediate Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $2,140
- Associate Academy Tuition: $6,700
- Associate Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $2,450
- Senior Academy Tuition: $7,000
- Senior Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant: $2,660
Academy Guitar runs on Monday nights.
Academy Voice
Audition requirements for voice:
- One opera aria
- Three classical selections
- One additional selection of the applicant’s choice
- Repertoire should represent different musical periods, styles and the four major languages (English, French, German and Italian)
- All repertoire for the auditions must be memorized and presented without music
- Singers are to please bring one copy of each selection for the panel
- Singers are responsible for hiring a pianist and preparing with them for their audition
Tuition for voice:
- Intermediate Academy Tuition: $5,900
- Intermediate Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $2,240
- Associate Academy Tuition: $6,700
- Associate Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant Applied: $2,550
- Senior Academy Tuition: $7,000
- Senior Academy Tuition with Young Artist Grant: $2,760
Academy Voice runs on Monday nights.
Academy Percussion
Audition requirements for percussion:
- One snare drum solo
- One keyboard solo (marimba, xylo, vibes, glock) either 2 or 4 mallets will be acceptable
- Students may demonstrate a timpani solo, or any other special skills (drum set, hand drums, etc)
- Please choose up to 6 rudiments from the 40 International Drum Rudiments to play, complementing your level of achievement. You will be asked to play them in a slow-fast-slow sequence
- Please choose one major and one minor scale of your choice, complementing your level of achievement. Scales should be two octaves
Suggested Repertoire
Snare Drum:
- Cirone - Portraits in Rhythm
- Whaley - Musical Studies for the Intermediate Snare Drummer
- Whaley - Recital Solos for Snare Drum
- Peters - Intermediate or Advanced Snare Drum Studies
- Wilcoxon - Modern Rudimental Swing Solos
Keyboard Percussion:
- Goldenberg - Modern School
- Peters - Fundamental Method for Mallets
- Gottlieb - Masterworks for Marimba
- Whaley - Fundamental Studies for Mallets
- McMillian - Masterpieces for Marimba
- Whaley - Intermediate Studies for the Intermediate Mallet Player
Tuition for Percussion:
- Percussion Tuition: $5,000
- Percussion Tuition with Young Artist Grant applied: $1,600
Academy Percussion runs on Wednesday nights.
Courses
Certificates
Program questions?
For further information or for assistance, please contact academy@mtroyal.ca.
Questions?
If you need a hand registering or have a question about our programs, we would love to help you!
403.440.6821
conservatory@mtroyal.ca