The Eastman School of Music is thrilled to announce a fully funded opportunity for an exceptional violinist to pursue the school’s Advanced Diploma in Performance with an emphasis in Concertmaster Studies—an intensive, one-year program led by Juliana Athayde, associate professor of violin and orchestral repertory, and concertmaster of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO).

Originally launched in 2023, the program is the first of its kind among Eastman’s peer institutions, providing students with unmatched proximity to a full-time professional orchestra that performs in the same building as the school. Now, with full tuition funding in place, it offers a rare and transformative opportunity for a violinist ready to launch a professional career.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring orchestral leaders,” said Joan and Martin Messinger Dean Kate Sheeran. “Eastman has long been a place where performance and leadership intersect, and through our partnership with the RPO, and Juliana Athayde’s artistry and mentorship, students will have unparalleled access to the skills, insight, and real-world experience needed to lead from the concertmaster’s chair.”

The program combines intensive study of solo and orchestral repertoire, leadership within Eastman ensembles, and a mock audition capstone held to the standards of a professional audition. Students also shadow Athayde in her role with the RPO and receive individualized mentorship throughout the year.

The curriculum is designed to prepare the most highly qualified violinists for the realities of life as a concertmaster. Core coursework includes applied music lessons, ensemble and chamber music participation, a concertmaster seminar, music leadership electives, and a concertmaster practicum, culminating in the mock audition capstone project completed in the final semester of study. Graduates complete the program equipped with the confidence and leadership skills to excel both on and off the stage.

For Athayde—who made her solo debut at 16 with the San Francisco Symphony and, at 24, became the youngest and first female concertmaster in the RPO’s history— the program is a way to pass on the knowledge and perspective that come from a life spent at the front of the orchestra.

“This unique program provides an incredible launching pad for violinists who are ready to start their professional careers,” said Athayde. “Having the freedom to learn, practice, perform, and prepare for auditions, all while shadowing a working concertmaster, creates the perfect opportunity for artistic growth—without the financial burden of tuition.”

She notes that confidence, commitment, and curiosity are the traits she’ll look for in selecting the program’s next participants. “The goal is to prepare the next generation of inspiring leaders, with an awareness of their community so they can make a positive impact that is felt beyond the concert hall,” Athayde said.

As she gets ready to welcome her first students, Athayde adds, “I’m looking forward to sharing everything I’ve learned in more than twenty years as a professional concertmaster with students that want to pursue this vital career path.”

This new phase of the Advanced Diploma in Performance (Concertmaster Studies) underscores Eastman’s commitment to developing the next generation of musicians bound for the first chair. With full funding now secured, the program allows a gifted violinist to devote themselves entirely to the demanding and inspiring work of becoming a concertmaster—gaining not only technical mastery but also the poise and perspective that define exceptional musical leadership.

WATCH: Click into the video above to hear from RPO Concertmaster Juliana Athayde about why she’s so excited to start this program at Eastman. 

To learn more about the Advanced Diploma in Performance (Concertmaster Studies), visit the Eastman website. The application deadline is December 1, 2025.