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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:

  • Mentorship from Andrew Norman and faculty

  • 20+ tickets/year to LA Phil concerts, including Green Umbrella new music series

  • A portfolio of professionally recorded original works

  • Opportunities to compose for and hear work performed by:

    • LA Phil

    • Lyris Quartet, Calder Quartet

    • American Youth Symphony, Southeast Symphony, wild Up

  • Meetings with leading composers (past guests include John Adams, Caroline Shaw, Ludwig Göransson, Kaija Saariaho, and more)

  • Access to:

    • Composition software and resources

    • LA Phil rehearsals

  • A diverse, supportive community of young composers

Application Information

Application Requirements

  • Biographical & educational info

  • Short essay responses

  • 1–3 letters of recommendation

  • Musical samples (at least two):

    • Two original compositions (audio/video, MIDI accepted)

    • A performance on your instrument

    • A solo improvisation or self-performed original (video only)

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:

  • Be in grades 10-12 in Fall 2025

  • Live in the Greater Los Angeles area

  • Have some experience with classical music notation

  • 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

  • 2–3 Saturday sessions/month (3–4 hrs)

  • 5 Tuesday evening concerts/year

  • 5+ additional evening concerts/year

  • Required participation in all scheduled programming

  • Regular composition work outside of group sessions

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

 

Class of 2022-23

Samantha Adams-Blanco

Jaden Amersi Anselmo

Mila Baumann

Ethan Chaparro

Bryan Chiu

Kieran Chung

Ferris Hakoum 
 

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