Virtual Artist Partnerships Program

A component of the Academy's Climate Commitment, the Virtual Artist Partnerships Program (VAPP) connects emerging composers with emerging performers to create new solo and duo works for public premieres. Hosted primarily through the virtual medium, artists not only broaden their community, meeting peers outside of their immediate network without significant carbon emissions, but also receive expert mentorship throughout a months-long collaborative process. Artists participate by invitation only and may entail those currently in other Academy programs or those being groomed to participate in future programs.

VAPP provides a structured blueprint for collaboration over one academic school year consisting of individual team meetings where composer and performer become acquainted, discuss seed ideas, and hold small workshops. Additionally, several full group meetings of all composer-performer teams are held where musicians meet one another, observe one another's collaborative efforts in a masterclass format, receive coaching from their mentors, and participate in discussions on building a twenty-first century artistic life. The program culminates with virtual premieres rolled out on the Academy's soon-to-be-announced virtual concert series calendar.

VAPP's inaugural season (2021-2022) was launched with a partnership between GLFCAM and the private studio of Harumi Rhodes, professor of violin at the University of Colorado Boulder. With mentorship from Gabriela and Harumi, nine composer-performer teams produced new solo and duo works for violin that were virtually premiered on June 1st, 2022.

For VAPP’s second season (2022-2023), GLFCAM is excited to partner with the private studios of Rachel Calloway and Ari Streisfeld, from the University of South Carolina! Gabriela, Rachel, and Ari will mentor five teams through the development and virtual premieres of five new duos.