Rushmore Music Festival

Rushmore Music Festival The Festival attracts young musicians from around the nation through a selective, audition-based application process.

Rushmore Music Festival offers intensive solo and chamber music training for pre-collegiate and collegiate-age string and piano students in a rigorous, supportive environment, and presents a professional chamber music concert series. Founded in 2015 by Dr. Katie Smirnova and Brett Walfish, two individuals with a vision for enriching, empowering, and transforming communities through the arts, the R

ushmore Music Festival takes place each summer in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The organization brings together highly sought-after pedagogues and high-caliber performers for a 3-week solo & chamber music festival for students ages 12 through 18. Limited to 18 participants, it is intended for students at early advanced-advanced levels, studying violin, viola, cello, and piano. With a strong focus on individual technical mastery and artistic growth rooted in communication, the Festival fosters a challenging, immersive musical environment. On the weekends, the Festival's faculty come together to present the Faculty Concert Series, where exhilarating chamber music concerts fill the stages and community venues in Spearfish and Rapid City. As of Summer 2021, all admitted students will be awarded a FULL-TUITION FELLOWSHIP, which covers all Festival lessons/coachings/classes/accompanist rehearsals, residential accommodations, as well as admission to all faculty concerts. Students are responsible for a non-refundable application fee ($90) & Meal Plan fee ($495/3 weeks).

So many great times! When they weren't practicing and rehearsing, our students got into all sorts of adventures around t...
08/10/2026

So many great times! When they weren't practicing and rehearsing, our students got into all sorts of adventures around the Black Hills!

This year's Trio in Residence featured Marlowe Jacques, Greyson Geisness, and Abby Stevens, all college students studyin...
08/09/2026

This year's Trio in Residence featured Marlowe Jacques, Greyson Geisness, and Abby Stevens, all college students studying music across the US. They put together a challenging program of works by Beethoven, Kodaly, and Cras. After meeting for the first time at the start of Session I, these 3 spent six jam-packed weeks rehearsing together, receiving coachings and lessons, and polishing their program, while also holding leadership positions in our conductorless Chamber Orchestra, and supporting our Young Artists in a number of ways.

The Trio performed throughout the Black Hills and served as ambassadors of RMF throughout the region, and our Faculty and Students alike were blown away by their perseverance and artistic achievements this summer. We all felt lucky to be a part of it! These photos offer a bit of a showcase of their activities.

Cheers to our very own TinR!

We had eye-opening Masterclasses this summer from Masumi Rostad ,Christopher Costanza , Mark Steinberg, and an impromptu...
08/08/2026

We had eye-opening Masterclasses this summer from Masumi Rostad ,Christopher Costanza , Mark Steinberg, and an impromptu virtual visit from James Ehnes! Our students shined and learned from the insights of these legendary musicians. We are honored that they would share their time and thoughts with our students!

Wow! What an amazing summer. Our last few weeks were packed with performances, masterclasses and many inspiring experien...
08/07/2026

Wow! What an amazing summer. Our last few weeks were packed with performances, masterclasses and many inspiring experiences for our students, facult, and staff!

1. Rising Stars concert
2. Trio in Residence - Performing at Matthews Opera House
3. Tango class with Sebastian Fernández was a hit!
4. Mark Steinberg Masterclass
5. Theatre Class with Sandra Mollman
6. Session II Faculty - post concert glow

Lookout for more posts celebrating all the great things about RMF Season 12!

08/01/2026

It is always hard to say Goodbye to our wonderful students, faculty, staff, and many new friends. Thank You to everyone who has helped fill these past six weeks with stunning performances and beautiful memories!

While it's a wrap for our summer residency, you can still catch performances through , so please like, follow and stay tuned!

Join us as we Livestream our final Rising Stars Student Showcase! Link in the comments!
07/31/2026

Join us as we Livestream our final Rising Stars Student Showcase! Link in the comments!

Join us for our final Summertime Soirée Livestream! Link in the comments.
07/31/2026

Join us for our final Summertime Soirée Livestream!
Link in the comments.

07/29/2026

Do you have a date this Friday night!? 💃🥂
Join us on the dance floor with our incredible instructor Sebastian Madrigal teaching an introductory Argentine Tango class! And did we say there might be Malbec and desserts? 🍮
Event & ticket info in bio!

Join us this evening as our Trio in Residence plays it's capstone concert, at one of the most recognizable landmarks in ...
07/27/2026

Join us this evening as our Trio in Residence plays it's capstone concert, at one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Black Hills - Chapel in the Hills! The program is free and open to the public, starting at 7:30, featuring works by Beethoven, Kodaly, and Cras!

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13271 Klondike Road
Rapid City, SD
57702

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