Elisabeth Esther Ebert Williams
Fellowship Program
LSM Fellows serve as teaching assistants to the faculty and role models to the students. Fellows demonstrate high-caliber musicianship and a commitment to an inclusive and welcoming community.
LSM Fellows receive:
Two private lessons per week with LSM faculty
Chamber music groups with other Fellows
Solo and chamber music performance opportunities
Musical Responsibilities: as teaching assistants, Fellows act as musical leaders and supporters within the student body, playing/singing alongside and supporting the learning process of high school LSM students. Musical responsibilities can include and are not limited to:
Teach secondary or extra lessons to LSM students
Coach student chamber ensembles
Play or sing in at least one large ensemble: Band, Orchestra, or Concert Choir
Act as section leader in large ensembles and lead sectionals when needed
Lead studio classes
Perform in both on-campus and off-campus recitals and outreach venues
Rehearse and perform in Fellow chamber music ensembles
Teach or assist in elective offerings such as music theory, music history, jazz ensemble, musical theatre, or other areas of interest
Fellows must be in residence at LSM from Friday, June 19 to Sunday, July 19, 2026 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
Available Fellow Positions
The following fellowships are available. There is one fellowship per area of study unless otherwise indicated.
Bassoon
Cantor*
Cello
Clarinet
Composition
Double Bass
Euphonium
Flute
Harp
Horn
Oboe
Organ (*Cantor)
Percussion
Collaborative Piano** (2)
Saxophone
Trombone (filled for 2026)
Trumpet (filled for 2026)
Tuba
Viola
Violin (2)
Voice: Choral Focus (4)
Voice: Teaching Focus*** (2)
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The Cantor Fellowship offers a church music student the opportunity to work alongside LSM worship faculty in leading the church music offerings and services of the academy and festival, gaining first-hand experience and insights into the role of a Cantor.
Musical Opportunities and Administrative Responsibilities:
Accompany chapel choir and provide administrative support for director
Assist with setup, preparation, and instruction of worship-area electives such as class organ and church music
Manage submissions for Abendmusik and Morgenmusik (preludes, postludes, and service music at liturgies) and coordinate logistical arrangements for performers (chairs, stands, rehearsal times, etc.)
Teach, as needed, as part of class organ instruction
Assist with music engraving for bulletins and downloading materials from online worship resources
Curate staff resource library
Other duties as needed or assigned or as program needs warrant
Private lessons with LSM faculty may span multiple areas of interest, including keyboard accompaniment and improvisation, liturgical composition, worship planning
Qualifications, Skills
Organ and piano experience
Sight-reading ability, especially choral scores and accompaniments
Interest in the hands-on experience of administering a large and varied music program
Previous experience with rosters, attendance, or other managerial tasks for ensembles
Music engraving experience (useful, but not required)
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Collaborative Piano Fellows should have proven ability in solo piano repertoire and chamber music and be comfortable sight-reading and learning music quickly. They must have good organizational and time-management skills, as they will need to schedule their own rehearsals in addition to the duties required of them as Collegiate Fellows. Collaborative Piano Fellows may be asked to attend lessons of the students they are accompanying. Additionally, they may be asked to accompany choir or musical theater rehearsals and/or performances. Collaborative Piano Fellows are guaranteed reserved practice time for personal practice and rehearsals.
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Voice Teaching Fellows will teach weekly 30-minute private voice lessons to secondary voice students. They will receive guidance and resources as needed from voice faculty as they build up private studio teaching experience. There may be other opportunities to assist or participate as interests and time allow.
Additional Information
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Fellows are expected to contribute to the administrative and academic operations of LSM in a variety of other ways. Each Fellow will have one administrative responsibility assigned based on interest, experience, availability, and need:
Ensemble Assistant (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Chapel Choir, Handbells, Jazz Ensemble, Musical Theatre)
Musicianship Class Instructor
Arts Administration Assistant
Events Assistant
Stage Manager
Events Technology Assistant
Social Media Contributor
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All Fellows will contribute to LSM Academy operations in the following ways:
Assist on registration day by directing traffic, monitoring audition locations, overseeing instrument locker assignment, delivering materials, or other duties assigned by Academy Director.
Assist Academy Director with moving of equipment, stands, instruments and other needs in rehearsal and performance spaces.
Participate in back-of-house operations during recitals and concerts to ensure seamless transitions.
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Completion of at least one year (preferably two or more) of higher education at an accredited institution
Advanced musical proficiency
Understanding of and commitment to the mission of LSM
Excellent communication skills
Ability and enthusiasm to work with high school students
Proven ability to solve problems effectively
Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as with a team
Excellent time management and organizational skills
Ability to move musical equipment such as chairs, stands, and instruments
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Fellowships are unpaid; all LSM tuition costs are waived.
Fellows pay an Enrollment Fee of $200 at time of acceptance. The Enrollment Fee is nonrefundable, with the exception of cancellation by June 1, 2026.
Housing in a double-occupancy, air-conditioned dorm room and all meals are provided for the duration of LSM. A single room may be requested for an additional fee of $250.
Fellows are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from LSM. LSM will provide shuttle transportation to/from Minneapolis International Airport. Plan for a flight that arrives on June 19 before 3:30pm and a flight that departs on July 19 after 3pm.
Verification of program completion for your college or university, if needed. Fellowships offer approximately 240 hours of direct contact learning hours.
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Please share the following flyer with interested individuals: 2026 Fellowship Flyer
To Apply
Complete your application through the Apply Now form below. The form will prompt you to provide:
Cover Letter (one page): Describe your interest in the LSM Fellowship, highlight your musical and teaching experience, and note any additional skills or areas of interest.
Resume (1–2 pages): Summarize your education, musical and teaching experience, and relevant professional or volunteer activities.
Video Audition: Link to a YouTube video featuring two contrasting selections.
Two Professional References: Name, title, phone, and email (no letters required).
Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after January 5, 2026, with a final submission deadline of March 1, 2026. All Fellowship offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Questions? Please contact Thomas Bandar at tbandar@lutheransummermusic.org.
Accepted Fellows, pay your enrollment fee here.
Testimonials
“My experience studying as the orchestral conducting fellow under Dr. Kevin Sütterlin at Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) was transformative and life-changing musically and personally. We had daily conducting opportunities on the podium with the Lutheran Summer Music Festival Orchestra, studied historically informed performance practice of the classical era on and off the podium, daily lessons and studio classes. I was privileged to study with Dr. Sütterlin who shared his immense knowledge and wisdom generously, whether it was conducting technique, rehearsal technique, cultivating my artistic vision, or expanding my horizons as a person. Lutheran Summer Music has been a treasure trove of opportunities for teaching experiences with middle to high schoolers and learning different areas of music from the variety of faculty. It is truly a choose-your-own-adventure freestyle experience where you will have the freedom to explore and decide what you want to get out of the LSM experience.”
-Samuel Chen, 2022 Conducting Fellow
“Part of what makes LSM so special is that the people are just as important as the music. Coming to LSM changed my life because I was able to work with faculty that not only taught me proper technical and musical practices, but they also supported me as an individual. As an LSM fellow, I was able to perform extensively with the faculty and simultaneously develop strong relationships with them; these meaningful bonds gave me the confidence to be successful as a performer and an educator in the field. The fellows also developed personal and musical bonds with one another that will last a lifetime. LSM was easily one of the most enriching experiences I could have ever asked for because I made progress, connections, and deep relationships that will last for the rest of my life.”
-Sophia Flores, 2022 Saxophone Fellow
“The Fellow experience has been invaluable. As a church musician, I gained practical experience in a community that worships daily. At the same time, I was able to work on my instrument [organ] through lessons and performances. The safe and welcoming community at LSM is such that one can explore new things that are outside of their comfort zone. In the Fellow program, one also gets to collaborate with other fellows, faculty, and students in high-caliber performances. As a fellow, there are many opportunities to both teach and perform. I would highly recommend that any college student who is interested in all of this consider the Fellow program at LSM.”
-Ezechiel Daos, 2021 Voice Fellow and 2022 Organ Fellow