June 29-July 10, 2026
2026 Faculty:
As founding members of the renowned Lafayette String Quartet, violinists Ann Elliott-Goldschmid and Sharon Stanis, violist Joanna Hood and cellist Pamela Highbaugh Aloni worked together for over forty years, teaching and performing. Through the Quartet’s vast individual and collective knowledge they continually engage students in critical inquiry into their own instrumental study and the music itself.
Quartet Fest West is delighted to have the IVALAS QUARTET as Quartet in Residence. The Ivalas Quartet will be performing, giving masterclasses and coaching.
Quartet Fest West 2026 Rates:
Tuition $1050*
Dormatory (single room) plus Breakfast (June 28-July 11): $900**
*Scholarships available. If you require financial aid, please contact [email protected]
**The University requires that Participants who are 18 years of age or younger are provided with a chaperone in the dorms. The chaperone fee is an additional $125 and covers Participants for the duration of their stay on campus.
Deadline for applying: May 5, 2026
Please fill out the QFW application form located on this website under “study at UVic”.
Quartet Fest West is held on the gorgeous campus of the University of Victoria. It is held in the School of Music, one of the most vibrant places in Victoria-and YOU will be a part of it!
Victoria audiences are educated, active and interested! They will be attending many of your masterclasses, concerts and occasionally your coaching sessions! It is because of our wonderful audience that we’re able to put this Festival on every summer and it is for them that you will be performing (and all concerts are live-streamed for your families at home).
A day in the life of a Quartet Fest West Participant (all days are slightly different, but this gives you an idea of what to expect):
8:30-9;30 Morning individual practice
9:30-10:30 Lessons (everyone gets at least one private lesson during QFW)
10:00-12:00 Rehearsal time (occasional coaching session)
Lunch
1:00-2:00 Rehearsal or coaching session
2:00-3:00 Rehearsal or coaching session
3:30-5:00 Masterclass
Dinner
Evenings: Concerts, Chamber Music Reading Parties, Visit Downtown, Movie night, rest, sleep, practice.
Two masterclass days are devoted to Feldenkrais taught by the remarkable Diane Lade. Feldenkrais, like the Alexander technique, is a body awareness practice that is taught in many conservatories and universities in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. This is an introduction only. All you need is a little bit of curiosity about how you and your body play your instrument.
Some evenings are fun evenings – students often go downtown to visit the city of Victoria and sometimes there are chamber music reading parties and sometimes there is a concert and sometimes you might just want to go back to your bed and read.
For those students attending QFW from outside of Victoria, the University offers clean, safe dormatories and some summertime food options. Single rooms are available and chaperones are provided for those requiring them.
If you have any questions about Quartet Fest West please contact [email protected] and someone will get in touch with you soon!
