About
Focused on a "learn-by-doing" philosophy.
For over 100 years, Curtis has provided each member of its small student body an unparalleled education alongside musical peers, distinguished by personalized attention from a faculty that includes a high proportion of actively performing musicians. Curtis students hone their craft through more than 200 orchestra, opera, and solo and chamber music offerings and programs. To ensure that admission is based solely on artistic promise, Curtis charges no tuition to its students.
- 160
- Students
All Curtis students receive full-tuition scholarships. As a result, talent and artistic promise are the only considerations for admission.
- 4%
- Acceptance Rate
Curtis accepts only a small fraction of the applicants who apply each year, a testament to the talent of our student body.
- 4:3
- Student to Faculty Ratio
All students receive highly personalized attention with Curtis’ celebrated faculty.
Our Mission
The mission of Curtis is to educate and train exceptionally gifted young musicians to engage a local and global community through the highest level of artistry.
Our Values
Pursuit of Excellence: Honoring the Process
As a core and enduring value, excellence at Curtis shall be defined as a commitment to growth, rooted in curiosity, creativity, and intentional learning.
Learn-by-doing: Prioritizing Experiences that Help Students Grow
Embraced as a value, the Curtis “learn-by-doing” approach promotes lifelong learning, student wellness, pedagogical support, time for reflection, educational relationships, and a curriculum that develops not just performance skills but musical leadership, innovation, artist-citizenship, and individual voice.
Community: Amplifying Curtis’ Impact
Curtis recognizes its responsibility as an integral part of both Philadelphia’s cultural landscape and the global music world. This commitment is central to the school’s teaching mission, where mentorship and community-engaged work are woven into the curriculum to prepare students to share their artistry beyond the stage. Curtis values introspection in its own community, fostering a culture rooted in human connection and shared purpose.
Collaboration: Breaking Down Silos to Build Something Greater
With active inter-departmental collaboration, integrated curricular planning, and institutional collective effort, Curtis shall build a strong network of artistic and operational leaders and prepare students for real-world musical careers that rely on interpersonal skills and ensemble dynamics.
Faculty
The Curtis Institute of Music professors care deeply about teaching and interacting with students. The faculty are world-renowned performing musicians who connect students to life as a successful professional musician today.
Student Life
Come to Curtis and find campus life that celebrates music by both students and faculty. Build lifelong friendships with fellow students who share your interests, passions, and perspectives.
Alumni
Curtis alumni, having experienced extraordinary one-on-one training and valuable performance opportunities as students, go on to invent careers with impact around the world and in their communities.
Administration
Meet the leadership, board, trustees, and staff working behind the scenes to make Curtis an exceptional institution for the study of music.
