About Credo St. Louis

Credo St. Louis
June 1-5, 2025
Salem United Methodist Church

Nationally recognized faculty and local musical leaders will energize this intensive four days – which will feature:

  • Chamber Music

  • Solo Master Classes

  • String Orchestra

  • Performance Opportunities

  • Community Outreach

Credo St. Louis is built on the principles of the Credo National Festival: Musical excellence and commitment to public service, within the intersection of faith and music. Faculty members are local and nationally acclaimed music leaders who are eager to mentor Credo students at the very rewarding and personal intersection of music and faith.

Each student is cherished at Credo. The environment nourishes the most accomplished pre-conservatory students as well as those participating in their first serious summer music festival.

All serious string students age 12-18 will find a challenging home at Credo St. Louis. Advanced applicants for Credo St. Louis should also consider applying for the Credo National Festival. (Students attending both festivals will receive a sizable discount on the National Festival tuition.)

To Apply

Audition Requirements

Each applicant is required to submit 1) an audition video, and 2) a personal introduction video.

  • Audition Video: 6-10 minutes of your best playing from 2 contrasting solos.

  • Personal Introduction Video: Take 2-4 minutes to help us get to know you better:

    • Include your name and hometown.

    • Tell us about your family (What do your parents do? How many siblings do you have? Are they musical?)

    • Tell us about a favorite non-musical activity or two.

    • What are you looking forward to at Credo this summer?

Video Guidelines

  • Each solo piece should be an unedited single take.

  • Audition videos do not require piano accompaniment.

  • Videos should be recorded within 3 months of the Credo application deadline so we have a current representation of your skill set.

  • Upload your recordings to YouTube and include the links on your application form.

Application Timeline

Application fee: $30

  • April 12: Application deadline

  • April 15: Acceptance notifications emailed

  • April 22: Commitment to attend due

  • May 15: Tuition payment due

Cost

Tuition: $375

Discounts:

  • $50 Early bird discount for students paid in full by April 15

  • $100 discount for each additional member of the same family

  • Early bird and family discounts may be combined

  • $200 off Credo Festival tuition for Credo St. Louis students doing both festivals in the same calendar year

Location

Salem United Methodist Church
1200 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63131

2025 Credo St. Louis Faculty

Directors

  • Peter Slowik
    Professor of Viola, Oberlin Conservatory
    Founder and Artistic Director, Credo Music

  • Vera Parkin
    Founding Artistic Director (Emeritus), Preparatory Program
    Piano faculty, Staff Accompanist - Community Music School of Webster University
    Keyboardist, St. Louis 1986-2019

  • Rebecca Pantano
    Director of Orchestras and Fine Art Department Chair, Parkway West Middle School
    Selected for ASTA National Orchestra Festival Spring 2025

Faculty

  • Dr. Lenora Anop
    Professor of Violin,  Director of Strings, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
    Concertmaster, the Bach Society of Saint Louis Orchestra, the Masterworks Chorale Orchestra

  • Kurt Baldwin
    Cellist, Arianna String Quartet
    Professor of Cello, University of Missouri-St. Louis

  • Rebecca Chung
    Violin Faculty, Washington University St. Louis, Community Music School of Webster University
    Violinist, Chamber Project Saint Louis

  • Jameson Cooper
    Conductor and Violinist, The Euclid Quartet, Quartet-in-Residence, IU-South Bend

  • Brendan Fitzgerald
    Assistant Principal Double Bass, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
    Bassist, Seattle Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Chicago

  • Kimberly Jeong
    Professor of Cello, Director of Strings and Chamber Music, Washington University

  • Eva Kozma
    Assistant Principal Second Violin, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
    Violinist, Chamber Music Society of St. Louis

  • Julia Sakharova
    Concertmaster, Orchestra Iowa
    Violin faculty, University of Missouri-St. Louis

  • Luis Vargas
    Violist, The Euclid Quartet, Quartet-in-Residence, IU-South Bend

  • Shane Williams
    Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Missouri Baptist University
    Music Director/Conductor, Alton Symphony Orchestra