About
7 - 16 February 2026 | An exhilarating week of connections and music-making for young violin, viola, cello and piano players
The annual Adam Summer School for Chamber Music is an opportunity for up to 30 talented young string players and pianists to commit themselves to ten days of intense chamber music-making. Surrounded by their peers and in the idyllic setting of Nelson in summertime, students attend coaching sessions and masterclasses by the New Zealand String Quartet and, in 2026, renowned New Zealand pianist, Jian Liu. This is an opportunity for young classical musicians to connect with each other and to learn from and be inspired by professional musicians.
The first Adam Summer School took place in 1995 and the NZSQ has run it annually ever since. The School would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of the Adam Foundation and a passionate group of individuals who donate tuition scholarships.
Throughout the years, more than 400 students have attended the Adam Summer School. Many of these alumni have gone on to pursue varied and interesting careers all over the world.
At the Adam Summer School for Chamber Music, you will:
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Participate in group coaching, masterclasses, and have the opportunity for individual coaching from New Zealand’s best chamber musicians;
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Connect and form bonds with other emerging musicians;
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Have the opportunity to learn about a career in classical music from industry professionals;
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Rehearse and perform at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, a state-of-the-art, professional live music venue;
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Perform a major chamber music work at the Adam Summer School Finale Concerts following a week of in-depth study.
Costs:
Course fees: $750.00 NZD
Your course fees cover tuition, accommodation and all main meals. The New Zealand String Quartet Trust is a registered charity and we are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for students at the most accessible price.
A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 NZD is required to be paid within one week of your acceptance into the Adam Summer School, with the remaining balance to be paid by Friday 30 January 2026.
Accommodation, Meals & Venue:
The School is fully residential with accommodation and all main meals provided. All classes and concerts take place at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts on Nile Street. More information about your stay and getting around Nelson will be provided closer to the date.
Travel:
You will be required to arrange and pay for your own travel to and from Nelson. We recommend booking your travel as early as possible. Airport transfers will be provided for you.
Scholarships:
A limited number of scholarships for financial assistance with course fees are available to those students demonstrating financial hardship. Details on how to apply for a scholarship are listed in the application form.
Adam Summer School Scholarships are made available through the generosity of individual supporters to the Adam Summer School Scholarship Fund.
Tutors:
You'll be tutored by the New Zealand String Quartet musicians and a Guest Piano Tutor that changes each year. For the 2026 Summer School your tutors will be: NZSQ violist Gillian Ansell, NZSQ violinist Peter Clark, renowned New Zealand pianist Jian Liu and a guest violin and cello tutor to be announced before the Summer School begins.
A Week at The Adam Summer School:
Students arrive in Nelson and register with the NZSQ Trust staff at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts. Once everyone has arrived, there will be a formal welcome and health and safety briefing, followed by a shared dinner. Often this first day involves a recital by the New Zealand String Quartet. Every second year, it involves attending a concert as part of the Adam Chamber Music Festival.
Finale Concerts
Experience the rising stars of chamber music at the Adam Summer School Finale Concerts.
These two finale concerts are a chance for students to showcase a week’s worth of intensive training within their new ensemble. Over the past 32 years, more than 400 students have attended the Adam Summer School. Many of these alumni have gone on to illustrious careers in classical music all over the world. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to experience the next generation of Aotearoa chamber musicians in action.
The 2026 School will be a particularly special experience for students as, for the second time in Adam Summer School history, a past student is returning as a guest tutor. Amalia Hall, who attended the Summer School as a student will return as the Guest Violin Tutor. We’re incredibly excited to have her return in this full circle moment and share her impressive career with our Class of 2026.
See how the music gets made at an Adam Summer School Masterclass.
See how the music gets made at an Adam Summer School Masterclass. Select Adam Summer School Masterclasses will be open to the public to spectate, completely free of charge. Watch as these incredible young musicians work in real time with their tutors to hone their craft and prepare for the Finale Concerts at the end of the week.
This is an unparalleled opportunity to witness the care and dedication that the next generation of string and piano players are putting into their music practice.
These Masterclasses are completely free to attend, and there’s no need to register ahead of time. Simply show up at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts on the day and check in at the Box Office to be shown to the correct room.
"The Adam summer school is always the highlight of my year. It’s an experience like no other - the social dynamic and musical opportunities are so special. Every time I am hugely inspired and it is the foundation of how I approach my studies throughout the rest of the year."
- Adam Summer School Student, 2023
Apply
Applications for the 2026 Adam Summer School are now closed. Check back here in August/September 2026 for information about the 2027 Adam Summer School.
Applications to attend the Adam Summer School must be submitted via the application form. Applicants are required to provide details about their education, music experience and teachers, and a link to their audition recording.
Applications are open to violin, viola, cello and piano students who are either at secondary school, university or recent graduates who are committed to and passionate about classical music. Ideally applicants will be between 16 and 26 years of age, however consideration will be given to all applications.
Applications are also open to pre-formed groups. All members of a pre-formed group must submit their own individual application.
Individual students accepted for the Summer School will be placed into groups following the audition process.
Audition Requirements:
As inclusion in the Adam Summer School will be determined by audition recording, care should be taken to prepare audition recordings to a very high standard.
Your audio recording should be:
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15 minutes or more
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AUDIO ONLY – these recordings will be assessed anonymously and applicants who submit a recording with video may not be considered
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Provided in the application form as a YouTube, Vimeo or Google Drive link
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Feature two contrasting styles to demonstrate the highest technical and musical level
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From within the last 6 months
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String players may submit either unaccompanied repertoire or works with piano
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Pianists must submit solo repertoire
Key Dates:
Monday 15 September 2025: Applications open for Adam Summer School
Sunday 5 October 2025: Applications close for Adam Summer School at 5pm
Monday 6 – Sunday 26 October 2025: All Adam Summer School applications assessed
Monday 30 October 2025: All Adam Summer School applicants receive their outcome via email
Saturday 8 November 2025: Non-refundable deposit of $100.00 NZD due
Between November 2025 and January 2026, students will receive regular updates regarding their groups and repertoire, travel and accommodation arrangements, health and safety, airport transfers, etc.
Saturday 31 January 2026: Final course fees of $650.00 NZD due
Saturday 7 – Monday 16 February 2026: Attend the Adam Summer School for Chamber Music in Nelson
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Adam Summer School or the application process, please contact us at nzsq@nzsq.org.nz
Donate
Donate to the Adam Summer School to support the next generation of New Zealand musicians!
Each year, the Adam Summer School for Chamber Music is made possible with the support of our Sponsors and Donors. Our naming sponsor, the Adam Foundation, has been a core supporter of the Adam Summer School for 31 years. Alongside them are a generous group of individuals who donate student scholarships to support young musicians who would not otherwise be able to attend the Summer School.
If you’re passionate about the next generation of New Zealand musicians, then you too could donate to the Adam Summer School. Your donation, big or small, will go a long way towards supporting these young musicians at a pivotal point in their careers.
Two ways to donate:
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Donate a full Scholarship of $750 to cover the tuition fees for a student who would not otherwise be able to attend the School.
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Or make a general donation of any amount to our Givealittle campaign to support the overall running of the Summer School and help us deliver the best possible experience for all of our students.
Donations have always been essential to the Summer School. But, due to rising operational costs and a record number of requests for financial support from students, donations and scholarships are more important now than ever before.
Whether its $10, $100 or $1000, every cent will go a long way and resonate throughout the career of a young New Zealand musician.
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Thank you to our 2026 Scholarship Donors
We want to take a moment to thank the generous individuals who donated scholarships to help students attend the Adam Summer School in 2026.
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Terry Holton
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Alastair & Dorothy Kerr
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Howard Larsen & Lindsay Macdonald
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Nick Miles
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Reka Solomons
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Sally Warren
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Helen Beaglehole
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Maarten Weavers
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Eric & Maggie Turner
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Roger & Catherine Taylor
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Waikanae Music Society
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Anonymous (2)
Plus, a special thanks to Donald Armstrong for sponsoring the Donald Armstrong Award.
First introduced in 2009, this special annual Award recognises effort, commitment and progress made by an individual during the Adam Summer School. The Award is presented on the final night of the school, following Finale Concert performances.
Werk Agency
A Fresh New Look for the Adam Summer School
To celebrate our 30 year milestone in 2024, we launch a brand-new look! We worked with the incredible Werk Agency to refresh the look of the Adam Summer School.
The new Adam Summer School brand will inspire individuals to explore their passions, and foster a collaborative community that will thrive on the vibrant energy of shared knowledge and personal growth.
The new logo visually bridges the shape of a quaver into the letter A, while the colour used for the rebrand encapsulates the school's essence—passion, ambition, optimism and creativity.
The team behind it all...
We're incredibly proud to have been able to partner with Werk Agency on our new Adam Summer School design.
It can be a lot of work to build a solid and engaging brand that sells. Dastardly social media algorithms stop you getting the organic cut-through you used to get and it seems you need fresh content every other day to be seen. We produce attention-to-detail creative and run data-driven marketing campaigns that smash the business goals that matter most to you. Let’s get to werk, but not as you’ve known it.
A special thank you
to the organisations who help make the Adam Summer School possible
Main Sponsor
Core Funder
