Ravinia’s Steans Institute
Ravinia’s Steans Institute
Ravinia’s Steans Institute is a guiding light for exceptional musical talent, empowering the next generation of classical pianists and string players, classical singers, and jazz artists to refine their craft, collaborate with peers, and elevate their musicianship to new heights.
Since its founding in 1988, Steans has provided personalized coaching, master classes, and performance opportunities to over 1,600 gifted musicians, many of whom have influential careers as performers, leaders, and educators in the music world. Steans presents around two dozen free or affordable performances each summer, both at Ravinia and in local-community venues, making inspiring music accessible to all.
The namesake of the institute, Lois M. Steans was immersed in classical music as a pianist and listener from childhood, and she raised her family in that experience at Ravinia. They championed the institute to support emerging professional musicians with career-focused performance and study programs—Lois knew these to be rare but essential to artistic development, having grown up encountering barriers to enter classical music professionally. Ravinia honors Lois as a lover and maker of music whose spirit of generosity continues to fortify the Steans Institute.
Programs
Bridges Competition
Bridging jazz and classical chamber music genres through new works written for string quartet and jazz trio.
Piano & Strings Program
Chamber music, private coaching, and master classes for violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists.
Singers Program
Promoting the human instrument, focused upon the central repertoire of German and French art song.
Alumni Learning Series
Online professional development workshops and presentations for alumni of any Steans program.
Applications
Learn about the requirements to apply for a Steans program fellowship or submit a Bridges Composition.
Learn More
2024 Concert Schedule
See the complete summer event schedule at Steans, including free performances, master classes, and curated programs.
Livestreams
Steans livestreams free concerts and master classes on YouTube — see featured highlights here.
Ravinia on Tour
An annual spring tour presents an ensemble of notable Steans alumni at venues around the United States.
Support Steans
The future of classical and jazz music depends on the accessibility of quality, tuition-free professional studies.
Intimate Learning Environment
The hallmark of Ravinia’s Steans Institute is not only the quality but also the selectivity and immersiveness of its programs. With 15 participants in the Program for Jazz, about 30 in the Program for Piano & Strings, and 15 in the Program for Singers, fellowships in each program are highly sought after, and each fellow enjoys personalized guidance from the world-class faculty of headlining artists and scholars.
Intimate Concert Repertoire
Each of the Steans programs is devoted to small-group collaboration. The Program for Jazz comprises quintets playing original music instead of big bands and standards; the Program for Piano & Strings focuses on chamber music as opposed to concertos or orchestral works; and the Program for Singers emphasizes art song rather than opera, oratorio, or chorus. This repertoire is intentionally selected to provide particular musical growth opportunities in an atmosphere where fellows can focus completely on their craft and on the art of making music.
Immersive, Inclusive Experience
Steans musicians each receive a fellowship to engage in a life-changing summer of professional studies and performances tuition-free. Fellows are invited to take full advantage of the myriad opportunities during their musical immersion at the institute, including attending Ravinia concerts, working with the world-renowned faculty, and creating lasting connections with their peers.
The Facility
The Steans Institute is part of the 36-acre park at the Ravinia Festival, residing in the John D. Harza Building. All Steans performances are presented in the purpose-built, 450-seat Bennett Gordon Hall, which has been praised as an acoustical gem by audiences and performers alike.
The Harza Building also holds teaching studios, practice rooms, a robust music library, and an audio/video control room furnished with high-quality equipment for the recording of events in Bennett Gordon Hall.
Housing
All fellows accepted into one of the programs at Steans receive a fellowship that covers the expenses of their residency, including room and board, meals, and inter-campus transportation.
Ravinia owns several homes within walking distance of the park, complete with kitchens, washers and dryers, WiFi, and pianos. These houses help to establish the residential setting for the fellows and provide a greater level of flexibility and independence. All fellows in the Programs for Jazz and Singers, and most of the Program for Piano & Strings, stay in these homes during their time at Steans.
Community
While acceptance is highly selective — limited to 60 fellows per summer across all programs — Steans strives to foster a supportive, collegial, non-competitive environment for study and performance. Participants from around the world create a distinctive international community, forming connections that last far beyond their time at the institute. In addition to coachings and performances, fellows enjoy social activities with their colleagues, faculty, and alumni; outings to the city of Chicago; and access to Ravinia Festival’s diverse and unique summer concert lineup. For many faculty, Steans is a “home away from home” and a highlight in their musical year.
