New York New Music Intensive
July 1-5 2025
Each summer 6 emerging composers are selected to join an intimate cohort at the New York New Music Intensive. Led by composer Alyssa Weinberg and cellist Gabriel Cabezas, participants of NYNMI take part in daily presentations and discussions centering collaborative relationships, community building, and professional development, and are given the opportunity to workshop a new composition for solo cello to be professionally recorded at the conclusion of the program.
Participants receive:
1 Private composition lesson with Peabody and Mannes faculty member Alyssa Weinberg
One on one workshops and recording of a new piece written for yMusic cellist Gabriel Cabezas
Discussions and Workshops
Expanding your community and building collaborative relationships
What is a “career” in new music?
Professional development: how to build a portfolio, format a CV, write proposals, prepare for school and job applications and interviews
When: July 1-5 2025
Where: Ridgewood, Queens, NY
Tuition: $775
Priority Deadline: March 15
Rolling Admissions through March 25
No fee to apply!
*Housing, travel and meals are not included and are the responsibility of the participant
To Apply:
Fill out the following application form by the March 15 deadline
Application Materials:
2 representative work samples
Short personal statement
CV
Sample Schedule:
Day 1:
11:00am-1:00pm: Seminar
2:00-5:00: Cello Workshop and Rehearsals
Day 2:
11:00am-3:00pm: Private Lessons or Free Time
3:30-5:30: Seminar
Day 3:
11:00-3:00pm: Private Lessons or Free Time
3:30-5:30pm: Seminar
Day 4:
12:00-2:00: Seminar
2:30-5:00: Cello Workshop and Rehearsals
Day 5:
2:00-5:00: Recording Session
5:30-6:30 - Final Group Meeting
*Schedule is an example of approximate activities and is subject to change
About Gabriel:
Cellist Gabriel Cabezas is a true 21st century musician. Named one of “23 Composers and Performers to Watch in ’23” by the Washington Post, he is a prolific and sought-after soloist and collaborator, as comfortable interpreting new works as he is with the pillar scores of the cello repertoire. Gabriel has appeared with America’s finest symphony orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic, and has premiered dozens of new works by some of the most acclaimed composers working today.
Gabriel is a member of the genre-leading chamber sextet yMusic. Their virtuosic execution and unique configuration have attracted high profile collaborators—from Paul Simon to Bill T. Jones to Ben Folds— and inspired an expanding repertoire of original works by prominent composers including Caroline Shaw, Missy Mazzoli, Nico Muhly and Andrew Norman.
In 2016, Gabriel received the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, a career grant awarded to extraordinary classical Black and Latinx musicians, who, early in their professional career, demonstrate artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and ongoing commitment to leadership. Gabriel studied at the Curtis Institute of Music under Carter Brey.
About Alyssa:
Composer Alyssa Weinberg uses color, texture and gesture to channel big emotions, creating music that is “quite literally stunning” (Chicago Tribune). She is fascinated with perception and loves to play with form, subverting expectations to create surreal scenarios, often in dreamy, multidisciplinary productions.
This season sees the announcement of two new operas: Claude & Marcel, written with librettist Stephanie Fleischmann and director Elkhanah Pulitzer, commissioned by West Edge Opera and premiering in August 2027; and DRIFT, written with librettist J. Mae Barizo and director Mary Birnbaum, commissioned by Opera Saratoga.
Weinberg’s music has been performed by celebrated artists and ensembles around the world, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, as well as So Percussion, PUBLIQuartet, and the Aizuri Quartet. She has received commissions and awards from organizations including Chamber Music America, Copland House, New Music USA, FringeArts and the Pennsylvania Ballet, Paris Dance Project, the Barnes Foundation, and the Curtis Institute of Music.
A dedicated educator, Weinberg currently teaches at Peabody Conservatory, Mannes School of Music, and Juilliard Pre-college. Alyssa Weinberg holds a PhD in composition from Princeton University, as well as degrees from Vanderbilt University, Manhattan School of Music, and the Curtis Institute of Music.