Composer Fellowship Program
Tuition-free mentorship and performance opportunities for young composers in Los Angeles
Overview
A multi-year program offering high school students grades 10-12 (Fall 2025), deep, hands-on experience in music composition. Fellows are mentored by leading composers and musicians, hear their work performed, and build a professional portfolio—all at no cost.
The innovative, multi-year program offers students a high level of consistent and intensive focus on the process and production of music composition, giving them the tools and freedom necessary to shape the future of concert music. Designed by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steven Stucky, this tuition-free program is administered by the LA Phil.
Fellows are guided through the creative process from start to finish by internationally acclaimed composer and Composer Fellowship Program Director Andrew Norman. Students work with LA Phil musicians and guest artists in frequent reading sessions; hear their pieces performed by the LA Phil, chamber groups, and other orchestras; attend more than 20 concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl each year; and engage with many of the world’s greatest living composers.
The application period is now closed.
Questions: composers@laphil.org
Fellows Receive:
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Mentorship from Andrew Norman and faculty
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20+ tickets/year to LA Phil concerts, including Green Umbrella new music series
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A portfolio of professionally recorded original works
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Opportunities to compose for and hear work performed by:
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LA Phil
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Lyris Quartet, Calder Quartet
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American Youth Symphony, Southeast Symphony, wild Up
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Meetings with leading composers (past guests include John Adams, Caroline Shaw, Ludwig Göransson, Kaija Saariaho, and more)
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Access to:
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Composition software and resources
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LA Phil rehearsals
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A diverse, supportive community of young composers
Application Information
Application Requirements
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Biographical & educational info
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Short essay responses
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1–3 letters of recommendation
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Musical samples (at least two):
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Two original compositions (audio/video, MIDI accepted)
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A performance on your instrument
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A solo improvisation or self-performed original (video only)
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Eligibility
The ideal composer fellow is creative and curious and desires to learn in community with other young musicians. The following guidelines are intended to ensure the best possible experience for participating composers and fulfill the LA Phil's commitment to increasing access to world-class learning opportunities for the Los Angeles community.
Applicants must:
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Be in grades 10-12 in Fall 2025
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Live in the Greater Los Angeles area
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Have some experience with classical music notation
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Have reliable transportation to Walt Disney Concert Hall & Beckmen YOLA Center
The application period is now closed.
Questions: composers@laphil.org
Program Commitment
The Fellow Year runs from October to early June. Availability and participation on all scheduled program dates are required as a fellow in the Composer Fellowship Program. Accepted fellows are expected to commit to scheduled programming, including but not limited to group sessions, community events, readings and performances of fellows' works, and LA Phil concerts. Accepted fellows are expected to work on their compositions and review class materials outside of scheduled programming.
Here's a sample of what a fellow year might look like (note: this is a sample only).
October – Early June
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2–3 Saturday sessions/month (3–4 hrs)
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5 Tuesday evening concerts/year
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5+ additional evening concerts/year
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Required participation in all scheduled programming
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Regular composition work outside of group sessions
People of CFP
Faculty
| Daniel Allas | Linda Dallimore | Andrew Norman |
| Thomas Kotcheff | Celina Kintscher | Celka Ojakangas |
CFP Alumni
Class of 2023-24
Samantha Adams-Blanco
Camila Blank
Alexis Cai
Ethan Chaparro
Sue Tsao Chair
Harrison Chung
Ferris Haukom
Lio Itaya
Jackson Kay
Lucas O’Brien
Kevin Rodriguez
Marvel Jem Roth
Siobhan Schallert
Maxim Strong
Ashlee Sung
Billy Waldman
Bryan Chiu
Steven Stucky Chair
Ethan Hebel
Billie Myers
Marvel Jem Roth
Piper Rose Rutman
Sage Shurman
Samuel L. Siskind
Ashlee Sung
Evan Williams
Class of 2021-22
Jesus Aguilera
Jaden Amersi Anselmo
Mila Baumann
David Brown
Arian Cázares
Mark D’Leon
Norah Fong
Noah Godard
Ferris Hakoum
Willa Hawthorne
Aidan Köslü
Olivia Marhevka
Rachel Mugemancuro
Billie Myers
Jahnesa Orozco-Garcia
Marvel Jem
Sage Shurman
Luke Sterling
Casey Weisman
Daniel Young
Class of 2020-21
Fariyan Alam
Jaden Amersi Anselmo
Elijah Alexander
Cole Brown
Clara Myers
Norah Fong
Noah Godard
Willa Fine Hawthorne
David Hernández
Joey Karz
Alexander Hurvitz
Oliviana Marie
Rachel Mugemancuro
Mia Ruhman
Z/Zola Saadi-Klein
Sage Shurman
Luke Sterling
Aidan Vass
Chloe Elise Villamayor
Sydney Wang
Class of 2019-20
Fariyan Alam
Elijah Alexander
Rylan Daniels
Yoni Fogelman
Stanford Fram
Micangelo Ferrante
Noah Godard
Alexander Hurvitz
William Jae
Joey Karz
Apsara Kasiraman
Leo Major
Mia Ruhman
Z/Zola Saadi-Klein
Luke Sterling
Aidan Vass
Sydney Wang
Emily Webster-Zuber
Class of 2018-19
Sacha Feldman
Leo Major
Benjamin Beckman
Stanford Fram
Josiah Groot
Joey Karz
Alexis Farahi
Apsara Kasiraman
Ezra Shcolnik
Sydney Wang
Katherine Pieschala
Luke Sterling
Aidan Vass
Jane Meenaghan
Teodelina Martelli