SUMMER 2025 DATES: June 15 – July 12

NEW TO YOUTUBE

Beethoven String Quartet op. 74 ‘Harp’

This premiere quartet is made up of students from Curtis, Juilliard and NEC, who have returned summer after summer to work with our Center Stage Strings faculty.

NEW TO YOUTUBE

12-year-old cellist Daniel Wang performs with pianist Sarina Zhang as part of the 2024 Center Stage Strings Spotlight Recital Series. Each of these concerts features a single young artist in a 50 minute program curated by themselves, intended to be a significant launching pad towards the next step of their professional performance careers.

Check out our Center Stage Strings YouTube Channel, celebrating just some of the many incredible concerts over the last fifteen years

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CSS YouTube Channel

Center Stage Strings was founded by renowned violinist and U-M Professor Danielle Belen to develop the talents of serious young classical music students in the areas of solo and chamber music performance. Learn more about all of our incredible Center Stage Strings Faculty!

About Us

Center Stage Strings was founded by renowned violinist and U-M Professor Danielle Belen to develop the talents of serious young classical music students in the areas of solo and chamber music performance. The natural beauty of the campus surroundings and the music intertwine in this four-week long institute to create a unique summer experience.

The young musicians chosen to participate will have a unique opportunity to focus purely on developing their talents without the distractions of normal, everyday life. An intense practice, lessons and coaching schedule is balanced with chamber music reading, socializing and recreational activities. Kayaking, hiking and trips to vibrant downtown Ann Arbor are just a few of the many fun activities available to the students. There is also a focus on our students becoming “Complete Musicians”, equipped with the skills needed for a professional musician today. These range from public speaking and stage presence to networking and even pedagogy.

In addition to the student-driven coursework of Center Stage Strings, there are also Guest Artist Recitals, Faculty Concerts and Masterclasses presented by world class artists and teachers.

We have some exciting news and announcements for Summer 2025 – stay tuned and follow us on Instagram @centerstagestrings and on Facebook!

Latest News

Life of a CSS Student

We have constructed everything about Center Stage Strings to be about YOU, from the daily schedule, lessons, technique classes and chamber music, to concerts and even recreational activities like kayaking and exploring downtown college life…

Beyond The Summer – CSS Student News!

Follow the successes of current CSS Students and Alums as they win competitions, perform incredible concerts and move into professional positions out in the world!

Photo Gallery

A collection of recent images from an unforgettable summer of concerts, activities and the most amazing group of young artists in the country. Thank you to photographer Natali Herrera-Pacheco for so many beautiful and inspiring photos as we enter our 15th season of Center Stage Strings!

Center Stage Strings – Calendar of Events

Stay tuned for upcoming videos of some of the highlights from our incredible season of concerts, master classes and special events!  We are looking forward to 2024 as we move into our 15th year of changing the lives of hundreds of young artists.  Thank you for you support and keep checking back on our website for updates!