Fellowships & Residencies
At Lamp, the focus is on performance and interpretation
Emerging Artist Residencies
Individuals and ensembles are able to apply for an extended residency period at Lamp. While here you will work closely, and often perform, with our extraordinary international faculty in an environment that inspires and demands excellence.
You will also work closely with your fellow residents, interacting on a daily basis and together exploring all musical genres from Baroque to Jazz, classic to contemporary, your music to world music. In this way, we will help you grow into a mature performing artist.
Artists coming for a minimum of six weeks will have access to a professional photographer as well as the possibility of recording with our A/V engineer.
You will give regular performances in our beautiful, acoustically perfect recital hall and take part in our extensive outreach programme, providing free mini-concerts at schools and care facilities throughout Nova Scotia’s South Shore and beyond. Lamp is committed to community engagement. Each of our Faculty, students and residents, are expected to donate two hours per week to outreach programming. Your involvement in this work will teach you the importance of serving your community and will become a vital part of your growth as an artist and human being.
Although our post graduate program is non-academic, you may be required to prepare monthly presentations on relevant subjects; for instance, musical styles, national schools/movements, historic relevance or specific composers.
You will spend a fraction of what you would spend at a university post-graduate program and will get a broader educational experience.
Upon request, our office will try to assist you in finding reasonable housing options.
Outstanding opportunities in 2024
We are now accepting applications for our Spring 2024 Emerging Artist Residencies. There are limited placements available for extraordinary and dedicated young artists. You can choose the period of your residency; to be able to access the full and lengthy list of residency benefits listed below requires a minimum commitment of six weeks.
Spring 2024 Emerging Artist Residencies
String & Piano Residencies: 2 April - 20 May; 10-30 June, 2024
With a visiting faculty that includes Colin Carr, Kim Kashkashian, Jane Coop, and Anna Han, it’s not surprising that we are looking for exceptional string & piano residents.
Who’s eligible?
Applicants for a residency must have completed, or be about to complete, an undergraduate music degree in performance; exceptions may be considered for outstanding young performers.
Tuition (does not include housing)
Individual $600 per person (per week)
Duos $800 per duo (per week)
Trios $1000 per trio (per week)
Quartets $1,200 per quartet (per week)
Spring 2024 Faculty
Colin Carr, Jane Coop, Kim Kashkashian, and Anna Han
How to apply for a Lamp Residency
Please enquire about deadlines for applications to the Spring and Fall Residencies at Lamp.
Your application form. Please include is much information as you are able in your application.
A motivational letter stating which residency program you wish to apply for and why you would like to attend Lamp for that residency.
Curriculum vitae/resumé
Letter of recommendation (from your most recent teacher, mentor, or professor)
Two contrasting unedited recent recordings (links are accepted)
Successful applicants must register and send a deposit within two weeks of receipt of their application acceptance email. Applications for bursaries must be made immediately upon receipt of acceptance to ensure requests can be processed before the deposit deadline.
Lamp’s Fellowship program
This is an extraordinary opportunity for super talented and motivated emerging artists who are looking for a peaceful and stimulating environment where they can take collaborate with colleagues and Lamp’s international faculty to work on repertoire, prepare upcoming auditions/competitions, perfect new roles, create and deliver outreach programs and perform in our beautiful recital hall.
We are no longer accepting applications for our 2024 Spring Fellowship program.
We are offering Fellowships in: Piano (2) FILLED, Cello (2) FILLED, String (2) FILLED
All Lamp Fellows receive full tuition ($600CAD per week for individuals, $900 for trios and $1,200 per week for quartets) plus a weekly stipend of $700 (per person) to assist with housing costs, living expenses and travel.
Who is eligible?
Lamp Fellows are the Elite of the Elite. You must have completed formal studies at a University or Conservatory to be selected.
The value of each fully-funded fellowship is $1,300 CAD per week. For more details please contact the Artistic Director.
Application deadline: 30 November 2023
Please do not apply if you are not able to commit for the full duration of the fellowship (except pianists).
Mentors/Faculty
Colin Carr
Jane Coop
Kim Kashkashian
Anna Han
While here you will have access to all Lamp facilities and programs, including our resident pianists and composer-in-residence. You will also be an integral part of our outreach programme; providing free live performances to the community in schools and care facilities. Fellowships over 6 weeks may have the opportunity to record with our sound engineer and to have a sitting with our photographer.
Lamp provides a type of young artist training and personalized mentorship I didn't think was possible. Burt Wathen has created and cultivated an environment which makes meaningful artistic expression a requirement instead of a rarity. Lamp is a place where one can not only witness great artists but meet and learn from them with unparalleled access: I've found myself sitting in a circle with Barbara Hannigan speaking about the trials of a life in the arts one week and reading and rehearsing piano quintets with the Verona Quartet the next. The support, education and opportunities I've had here wouldn't occur anywhere else in the life of a young pianist, and I am grateful to be allowed to be a part of such a unique and excellent organization.
Ian Tomaz
Emerging Artist in Residence 2019; Emerging Artist in Residence 2020