SFCM’s growing alliance is blending education with music industry access like never before.

From a residency with the Academy of St Martin’s in the Field that culminated in a side-by-side performance at Davies Symphony Hall, to a cross-genre music exploration with soprano star and director Patricia Racette over the last year, the alliance advanced opportunities for students across the Conservatory. 

SFCM’s alliance across the music industry consists of artist management companies Opus 3 Artists and Askonas Holt and record label Pentatone, and started in 2020 to integrate professional mentorship, artistic collaboration, and industry pathways directly into the student experience.

“The sheer talent and power of this quartet of friends and partners promises to advance the cause of music at the highest level,” SFCM President David H. Stull said of the alliance, adding, “It creates limitless opportunities for students, provides a creative playground for the world’s finest artists to advance their ideas, expands our capacity to capture and record important work, and allows us all to imagine and create our future together.”

The partnership creates opportunities for students, artists, presenters, and audiences to develop and experience new ideas, expand the recording and distribution of important works, and shape pathways to a sustainable future for the industry. The alliance acquisition was made possible by an anonymous donor, and no funds slated to support students were used to acquire these companies. All funds designated for students, such as scholarships and academic programming, remain fully dedicated to those purposes.

This summer we're taking a look back over the last year at projects that brought together students, artists, and experts from across the entire musical spectrum, creating new experiences and thrilling opportunities. 

Residencies and Side-by-Side Performances 

SFCM Students Perform with Joshua Bell and Academy of St Martin in the Fields at Davies Symphony Hall, February 2025
Thirty-eight SFCM students performed at Davies Symphony Hall following the Academy of St Martin in the Fields’ residency at SFCM. During their stay, the Academy, who are represented by Opus 3 Artists, worked directly with students both in rehearsals and workshops, culminating in a side-by-side performance at Davies Symphony Hall described by student soloist Fiona Cunninghame-Murray as the “best week of my life.” 

Meow Meow and the SFCM Orchestra, February, 2025
Opus 3 Artist and post-post-modern diva Meow Meow has hypnotized, inspired, and terrified audiences globally with unique creations and sell-out seasons. She worked with students directly and performed with the SFCM Orchestra for a sold-out spectacular show.

GRAMMY Winners Chanticleer Celebrate First Official Artistic Collaboration with SFCM November, 2024
SFCM welcomed Opus 3 Artists and GRAMMY-winning choir Chanticleer to the Conservatory for rehearsals, workshop, and performance with students in November, 2024, their first official artistic collaboration with SFCM. 

Alisa Weilerstein Residency at SFCM, January, 2025 
Called one of the foremost cellists of our time, Alisa Weilerstein visited SFCM for a week-long residency that included a special performance of her Fragments concert series and a masterclass with students. Weilerstein is an Opus 3 and Askonas Holt artist.

Alisa Weilerstein gives a masterclass at SFCM.

Chamber Music Tuesday with Nicholas Phan, November, 2024 
Described as "one of the world's most remarkable singers," SFCM welcomed Opus 3 Artist American tenor Nicholas Phan for its monthly Chamber Music Tuesday concert series performing alongside SFCM students, faculty and alumni. 

Chamber Music Tuesday with Shai Wosner, October, 2024
SFCM welcomed Opus 3 Artist Shai Wosner, internationally recognized for his exceptional artistry, musical integrity and creative insight, to SFCM for its first Chamber Music Tuesday of the season. Wosner worked with Pre-College and SFCM students during his residency, as well as gave a masterclass and performance. 

Cross-Genre Exploration and Industry Integration

Voice Program Hits New High Notes with Patricia Racette Residency, January, 2025
Opus 3 Artist, soprano, and director Patricia Racette visited SFCM for a 10-day seminar for voice students which featured cross-genre exploration, all part of SFCM’s expanding multi-genre voice curriculum. 

Patricia Racette works with students.

SFCM Celebrates ‘GRACE: The Music of Michael Tilson Thomas’, October, 2024
In celebration of Tilson's 80th birthday, PENTATONE Music released GRACE: The Music of Michael Tilson Thomas, a collection spanning more than five decades of MTT’s compositional career. This celebration included coaching sessions and a performance with students. MTT joined SFCM’s faculty as Distinguished Professor of Music in April of 2024. 

SFCM Presents Candide with Frederic Wake-Walker, March, 2025

Students perform in "Candide."

SFCM Opera and Musical Theatre delivered an exciting production of optimism and wit with Leonard Bernstein's Candide. This production was directed by Frederic Wake-Walker, an Askonas Holt artist, renowned for his groundbreaking work at major international opera houses. The performance was hailed as “heartfelt” and “hilarious” by local arts leaders. 

Masterclasses and Mentorship

Pacho Flores, October, 2024 
Askonas Holt Artist Franciso "Pacho" Flores visited SFCM for a masterclass in October. Flores is a first-prize winner of the Maurice André International Competition, the world’s most important trumpet contest.

Avi Avital, November, 2024
The first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, Opus 3 Artist Avi Avital is known for his championship of his instrument and incredible virtuosity. Also called “explosively charismatic” by the New York Times, Avital came to the Conservatory in November for a masterclass with students. 

Miloš Masterclass, January, 2025 
Opus 3 Artist Miloš is one of the world’s most celebrated classical guitarists. His career began its meteoric rise in 2011, with the release of his international best-selling Deutsche Grammophon debut album Mediterraneo. Miloš held a masterclass at SFCM with Pre-College students. 

Learn more about SFCM’s growing alliance.