The Graduate Instrumental Arts Program, a Master of Music in Instrumental Studies, combines academic and practical studies of music with a strong emphasis on music as a means of engaging with, and serving, the broader community beyond campus. Through this degree program, students develop the core values of music and musicians in service of society.
Frank Corliss
Director and Faculty, Bard College Conservatory of Music
“The Instrumental Arts Program aims not only to deepen students’ musical and instrumental skills but also to broaden their understanding of the role of music in civil society, and to develop their ability to connect with and serve the larger community through their art.”
Student Stories
-
Mark Kovacs ’26Mark Kovacs ’26
What is your current year of study?
First Year
What is your primary instrument?
I play the Trumpet
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
I’m currently studying with Edward Carroll
Where is your hometown?
Budapest, Hungary
Where did you study before Bard College?
I finished my undergraduate at the Liszt Academy in Budapest
What did you do this past summer?
I enjoyed some free time as I was traveling with my family.
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
The main reason I chose Bard was because I wanted to study with the amazing faculty that this school has. Also I was very impressed by all the different chamber music groups and the opportunity to perform on a regular basis.
What were the last three things you listened to?
H.K Gruber 3 MOB Pieces, Mahler Symphony No. 4, Poulenc Les animaux modèles Suite -
Christian Midy ’26Christian Midy ’26
What is your current year of study?
First Year
What is your primary instrument?
Flute
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
Tara Helen O’Connor
Where is your hometown?
Brentwood, New York
Where did you study before Bard College?
Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
My Professor Judy Mendenhall recommended I apply to Bard because of the excellent faculty, amazing orchestra program, and all the other great opportunities at Bard.
What were the last three things you listened to?
1. Tchaikovsky Symphony No.4
2. Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet
3. John Coltrane, Moments Notice Transcription by Kent Jordan -
Chelsea Yang ’26Chelsea Yang ’26
What is your current year of study?
First Year
What is your primary instrument?
Piano
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
Terrence Wilson
Where is your hometown?
China
Where did you study before Bard College?
The Liszt Academy in Hungary
What did you do this past summer?
I just finished my undergraduate degree before this summer. I finally had a vacation where I could stay home and spend time with my parents.
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
Bard College offers a wide range of on-campus and professional performance opportunities, and I've been able to work with instrumental performers in a variety of disciplines. Bard gives students maximum freedom of choice, and I can study any program that interests me.
What were the last three things you listened to?
Symphony No. 3 in D minor by Gustav Mahler
Don Giovanni Opera by Mozart
Symphony No.8 in B minor, D.759 Franz Schubert
-
Hasti Safaei '27Hasti Safaei '27
What is your current year of study?
First year in the Instrumental Arts Program (IAP).
What is your primary instrument?
Piano.
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
Rieko Aizawa and Frank Corliss.
Where is your hometown?
Gorgan, Iran.
Where did you study before Bard College?
University of Tehran and Texas Tech University.
What did you do this past summer?
I participated in the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival at Juilliard, and I also collaborated with the Bard Conservatory Preparatory Division.
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
I was drawn to Bard’s artist-centered environment, the opportunity to work closely with distinguished faculty, and the program’s strong emphasis on artistic individuality, collaboration, and performance experience. People at Bard are truly kind and supportive, and they always try to provide the best for the students and create a fulfilling learning experience for all of us.
What were the last three things you listened to?
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 (“Pathétique”) by Paul Badora-Skuda
Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2, op.27 in E Minor by Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Lorin Maazel
Rachmaninoff: Suite No.2 for two pianos by Martha Argerich and Nelson Freire -
Dominik Kovacs '27Dominik Kovacs '27
What is your current year of study?
1. First Year
What is your primary instrument?
2. French Horn
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
3. My current teachers are Barbara Jöstlein Currie and Hugo Valverde
Where is your hometown?
4. My hometown is Budapest, Hungary
Where did you study before Bard College?
5. I finished my undergraduate at the University of Debrecen, University of Music.
What did you do this past summer?
6. Last summer, I went to summer academy and trips a lot with my friends.
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
7. I choose Bard because I basically wanted to continue my master's studies abroad, and a couple of my American horn colleagues recommended the university and after reading about the teachers and the programs, I knew I had to come here because there are a lot of orchestral/chamber and soloist opportunities here.
What were the last three things you listened to?
8. The last three music I listened are Copland 3. Symphony, C. von Weber: Horn Concertino and Mahler 5.Symphony. -
Antonio Fiorenza '27Antonio Fiorenza '27
What is your current year of study?
1) First year
What is your primary instrument?
2) Trumpet
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
3) Edward Carroll
Where is your hometown?
4) My hometown is a small town called Centuripe, in Sicily, Italy.
Where did you study before Bard College?
5) I studied at the Conservatory of Music in Catania.
What did you do this past summer?
6) I spent a lot of time with my family and I was on tour with an orchestra.
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
7) The main reason that led me to choose the IAP at Bard Conservatory was the faculty and the great opportunities offered to all students.
What were the last three things you listened to?
8) Tomasi Trumpet Concerto performed by Håkan Hardenberger, Autumn Leaves by Ryo Fukui and Shostakovich First Piano Concerto performed by Martha Argerich.
Meet Our Faculty
Adele Anthony
Violin
Elaine Douvas
Oboe
Marka Gustavsson
Viola and Associate Director, Bard Conservatory
Terrence Wilson
Piano