Thousand Oaks Philharmonic
2026–2027 Appassionata Program
A year of masterclasses, recitals, community engagement, and meaningful performance opportunities for young musicians ages 18 and under.
Program Overview
The Appassionata Program is a premier educational initiative dedicated to nurturing the talents of young musicians ages 18 and under. The program provides a vibrant community where high-achieving students can connect, build their resumes, and elevate their personal artistry. Through student recitals, masterclasses, and dedicated performance opportunities, participants develop the essential repertoire needed for auditions, evaluations, and future musical pursuits.
The program is partially funded through the Edward Francis Scholarship Fund and the Hennings-Fischer Foundation.
What Students Receive
Philharmonic Soloist Opportunities
Enrollment is the exclusive gateway to audition as a soloist for an Opus concert with the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic.
Masterclasses & Recitals
Direct access to learning from acclaimed guest artists and performing in professional settings.
Montecito Scholarships
All standard Appassionata students receive a $200 scholarship to the 2027 Montecito Music Festival, while selected Opus soloists receive a $500 scholarship to attend.
Community Engagement
Earn community volunteer hours by sharing your music at local retirement homes.
Eligibility & Enrollment Fees
At least one of the following — the student, their teacher, or a parent — must reside within: Ventura County, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, or Malibu zip codes.
Performance opportunity
Concerto Auditions & Opus Concert Details
All registered Appassionata students are eligible to compete for a coveted soloist spot in an Opus concert. Soloists are selected by an expert audition jury.
How to Apply: Complete the concerto application form HERE and email a copy of the submission to Ornela Ervin.
Accompanist Requirement: Students are required to perform with an accompanist and must secure their own for the audition.
Soloist Contribution Fee: Prior to auditioning, families must acknowledge that selected soloists are required to pay a $900 contribution fee. This fee covers comprehensive production expenses, including the sitzen rehearsal with the conductor, two full orchestra rehearsals, two concert performances, and related operational costs.
2026–2027 Masterclass Schedules
All masterclasses are hosted at University Village.
Piano Masterclasses
Saturdays at 4:00 PM
- September 5, 2026: Hyoung Kim
- October 10, 2026: Barry Tan
- November 14, 2026: Mark Richman
- December 2026: Peter Klimo (Date and time TBA)
- January 9, 2027: Dmitry Rachmanov
- February 13, 2027: Wojciech Kocyan
- March 13, 2027: Kristi Lobitz
- April 3, 2027: Jason Stoll
String Masterclasses
Saturdays at 2:00 PM
- October 17, 2026: Ariana Solotoff (Violin & Viola)
- October 24, 2026: Lorenz Gamma (Violin)
- January 16, 2027: Fung Ho (Violin)
- February 20, 2027: Chan Ho Yun (Violin)
- March 6, 2027: Guest Artist TBA
Contact & Information
For further information, please contact Ornela Ervin. Updates and program news are also regularly posted on the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic Facebook page.