Mannes Prep

🎶 Celebrating Our Concerto Competition Winners 🎶

We're proud to highlight our Concerto Competition winners, Jessie Yuan (violin), Leo Sommerheil (piano), and Persephone Chan (cello), who took the stage at our recent Mannes Prep Spring Concerts.

Across the Chamber and Philharmonic Orchestra performances, these outstanding musicians joined their fellow students in presenting challenging concerto repertoire. Jessie performed the first movement of Viotti's Violin Concerto No. 22 with the Chamber Orchestra, while Leo performed the first movement of Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor and Persephone performed Fauré's Élégie with the Philharmonic Orchestra.

Congratulations to Jessie, Leo, and Persephone on their remarkable achievements, and congratulations to all of our orchestra students on a fantastic semester of performances. Enjoy a well-deserved summer break, and we'll see you this fall!

🎹 Welcome Andre Chez Lewis to Mannes Prep Jazz Piano Faculty
We are excited to introduce Grammy Award-winning pianist, music director, and educator Andre Chez Lewis to Mannes Prep!

Originally from Detroit and now based in Brooklyn, Chez has built a dynamic career spanning jazz, gospel, classical, blues, hip-hop, pop, and R&B. Currently serving as Music Director and pianist for the legendary Dionne Warwick, he has collaborated with renowned artists across a wide range of musical genres.

Chez is also a graduate of The New School’s College of Performing Arts and a protégé of the late jazz pianist Dr. Barry Harris. Earlier this semester, our students had the opportunity to learn from him during a special Jazz Ensemble clinic, and we are excited to now officially welcome him to the Mannes Prep community.

Please join us in welcoming Chez!

🎶 Only 5 days left to apply for Music at Mannes: Summer 2026
Designed for young pianists and orchestral students (Grades 4–8), this immersive two-week program invites students to explore conducting, ensemble playing, chorus, and movement while working closely with faculty and peers in both small and large ensemble settings.

✨What makes this program special:
• Daily structured schedule from conducting to supervised practice
• Opportunities to collaborate and build a musical community
• Final performance in Mannes recital halls

📅July 27 – August 7, 2026
⏰Monday–Friday | 9am–4pm
🗓 Application deadline: June 1

🎓 Celebrating Our Class of 2026!
Congratulations to our graduating seniors as they take the next step in their academic and artistic journeys.

This year, our seniors will be continuing their journeys at Mannes School of Music, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, University of Chicago, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan, New York University, NYU Clive Davis Institute, Parsons School of Design, Vanderbilt University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Case Western Reserve University, Bard College & Conservatory, University of Richmond, Hofstra University, William Paterson University, and Montclair Honors College, and more.

As we celebrate our seniors’ next chapter, we also look forward to welcoming future students into the Mannes Prep community. Fall 2026 applications are still open! Email [email protected] with any questions.

Apply to Mannes Prep | Mannes School of Music Although Mannes Prep's primary auditions for fall took place in May, we are still accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year as space allows.

🎶 Mannes Prep Spring Concerts Recap
Congratulations to all of our students on completing last Saturday’s Spring Concerts, the final major performances of the semester!

Our students delivered wonderful performances and shared the results of a semester filled with learning, practice, collaboration, and dedication — from time spent in the classroom and individual practice at home to rehearsals alongside teachers and fellow students.

We were also thrilled to see so many families and friends join us to celebrate and support our students throughout the day. Thank you all for being part of this special day, and we look forward to sharing more music together next semester!

🎶 Chamber Bash Recitals Recap
Last Saturday, we had our final recitals of the semester!

Featuring ensembles of various sizes and instrumentations, the performances highlighted the collaboration, musicianship, and hard work our students have developed throughout the semester. From classical chamber works to contemporary pieces, it was wonderful to see everyone share the stage together.

And we’re not done yet — join us this Friday, 5/16, for our all-day Spring Concert as we celebrate our students and their work from this semester!

🎓 Mannes Prep Graduation Ceremony Recap
Congratulations to all of our graduates! It was so special celebrating this milestone together with our students, families, faculty, staff, and friends.

From teachers sharing a few words with their students to everyone walking across the stage, the ceremony was a lovely celebration of all the hard work and growth throughout their years at Mannes Prep.

Also, thank you to Tanatchaya “Tanya” Chanphanitpornkit for the wonderful speech encouraging our students to keep chasing what’s ahead in their future!

🎶 Composer-Performer at Fou Gallery Recap
From piano and violin to cello and guitar, our students shared a wide range of original works inspired by Szelit Cheung’s exhibition. It was such a special evening bringing music and visual art together.

We’re so proud of all their hard work and a wonderful performance, and thank you to the families and friends who came out to support.

Thank you to Fou Gallery for this collaboration.