Rushmore Music Festival offers intensive solo and chamber music training for pre-collegiate and collegiate-age string and piano students in a rigorous, supportive environment, and presents a professional chamber music concert series. Founded in 2015 by Dr. Katie Smirnova and Brett Walfish, two individuals with a vision for enriching, empowering, and transforming communities through the arts, the R
ushmore Music Festival takes place each summer in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The organization brings together highly sought-after pedagogues and high-caliber performers for a 3-week solo & chamber music festival for students ages 12 through 18. Limited to 18 participants, it is intended for students at early advanced-advanced levels, studying violin, viola, cello, and piano. With a strong focus on individual technical mastery and artistic growth rooted in communication, the Festival fosters a challenging, immersive musical environment. On the weekends, the Festival's faculty come together to present the Faculty Concert Series, where exhilarating chamber music concerts fill the stages and community venues in Spearfish and Rapid City. As of Summer 2021, all admitted students will be awarded a FULL-TUITION FELLOWSHIP, which covers all Festival lessons/coachings/classes/accompanist rehearsals, residential accommodations, as well as admission to all faculty concerts. Students are responsible for a non-refundable application fee ($90) & Meal Plan fee ($495/3 weeks).
