Inspiring Audiences and Artists for Fifty-Six Years.
Buy Tickets Online > or call (831) 659-3115
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Lucia mountains in the world famous Monterey area, Hidden Valley Music Seminars has been offering learning opportunities for extraordinarily talented musicians for over sixty years.
Hidden Valley's Master Classes are immersive, week-long intensives with musician teachers from top performing & teaching institutes including Juilliard, The Cleveland Orchestra, and Oberlin. Each week features a concert by the teaching faculty, open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to hear these world-class players in an intimate setting focused on repertoire for their instrument.
Summer 2026 Master Classes:
Mark Kosower Cello: May 25 - 30
Robert Walters English Horn: May 25 - 30
Elaine Douvas Oboe: May 31 - June 5
Ali Ryerson Jazz Flute: August 30 - September 4
The participating members of the master classes are advanced players. Almost half of our master class participants return for more than one year, and many are professional musicians. Master class participants enjoy not only opportunities for learning & advancement, but create relationships within the musical community that can last a lifetime. A testament both to our exceptional teaching faculty and the caliber of students we enroll, many Hidden Valley master classes participants have gone on to hold important positions in major orchestras and universities around the world.
Although we encourage all interested musicians to apply, some may want to audit one year's class before becoming playing participants. Master class enrollments are limited and applicants are selected based on ability, experience, recommendations, and in some cases auditions. We accept applications on a rolling basis. Online applications are available under the specific area of study.
Our eight-acre campus, nestled among rolling hills of oaks and spanish moss, comprises a theatre, dance studio, rehearsal gazebos, a residence hall, and dining center. All master class students and teaching faculty live on campus during the master class and spend meals and free time together. All master class students are housed in our Waddell Center lodging rooms. Facility and lodging information, pictures, and a campus map can all be found under the 'Visit Us' tab.
If you have questions, please contact us at (831) 659-3115 or info@hiddenvalleymusic.org.
Jazz Flute Master Class Ali Ryerson's Flute Master Class opens with dinner at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday August 30, 2026 and closes at 12:00 p.m. after a farwell brunch on Friday September 4, 2026. Hidden Valley's master classes are immersive, week-long learning intensives for advanced players. Master class participants enjoy not only opportunities for learning & advancement but create relationships within the musical community that can last a lifetime. It is a testament to our exceptional teaching faculty and the caliber of students that many Hidden Valley master class participants have gone on to... [more]
Oboe Master Class Elaine Douvas' Oboe Master Class opens with dinner at 6:00 p.m.. on Sunday May 31, 2026 and closes at 12:00 p.m. after a farewell brunch on Friday June 5, 2026. Additional oboe faculty are Nicholas Stovall and Christopher Gaudi. The collaborative pianist is Luis Ortiz. Hidden Valley's master classes are immersive, week-long learning intensives for advanced players. Master class participants enjoy not only opportunities for learning & advancement but create relationships within the musical community that can last a lifetime. It is a testament to our exceptional teaching... [more]
Cello Master Class Mark Kosower's Cello Master Class opens with dinner at 6:00 p.m. on Monday May 25, 2026 and closes at 12:00 p.m. after a farewell brunch on Saturday May 30, 2026. Hidden Valley's master classes are immersive, week-long learning intensives for advanced players. Master class participants enjoy not only opportunities for learning & advancement but create relationships within the musical community that can last a lifetime. It is a testament to our exceptional teaching faculty and the caliber of students that many Hidden Valley master class participants have gone on to hold... [more]
English Horn Master Class Robert Walters' English Horn Master Class opens with dinner at 6:00 p.m. on Monday May 25, 2026, and closes at 12:00 p.m. after a farewell brunch on Saturday May 30, 2026. Hidden Valley's master classes are immersive, week-long learning intensives for advanced players. Master class participants enjoy not only opportunities for learning & advancement but create relationships within the musical community that can last a lifetime. It is a testament to our exceptional teaching faculty and the caliber of students that many Hidden Valley master class participants have gone... [more]
