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The Collegiate Performance Preparation Program helps talented young classical musicians (ages 12–19) prepare for college music programs. It offers a supportive environment to develop musical skills, research colleges, and achieve high standards of performance excellence.

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The Collegiate Performance Preparation Program offers confidence-building experiences through weekly classes that include rehearsals with the program pianist and performance coaching with the program director. Additional benefits include:

  • Honing of technically progressive performance and foundational repertoire

  • Seasoning and solidifying performance nerves with positive reinforcement

  • Developing self-assurance through public speaking

  • Training stage presence and etiquette

  • Peer-reviewed weekly performance evaluations

  • Monthly public outreach concerts

  • Creating a successful resume and repertoire list

  • End of the year Senior Result Panel and Senior Graduation Ceremony and Recital

  • Training for year-end Performance Jury Adjudications that include college audition requirements

  • Progressive college research assignments that train students how to:

    • Knowledgeably apply to collegiate music schools in a timely fashion

    • Research teaching faculty and college locations

    • Discover the differences between music conservatories and liberal arts schools with excellent music departments

    • Choose five or six final college application choices

    • Record and submit successful pre-screened audition jpegs

    • Navigate audition tours successfully

    • Ultimately be accepted to collegiate schools of choice​

To successfully sign up for an audition, please follow the steps below:

1

Complete the Collegiate Performance Preparation application form

Instrument
Student Age
Lessons
Yes
No
Member CSYSA Prior Season
Yes
No
CSYSA Group

2

Sign up for an audition time

Program details:

  • Open to orchestral and band musicians ages 12-19 (includes piano and harp)

  • ​Participation in a CSYSA large group is not required

  • Auditions at CSYSA office

  • Tuition: $850 for the season, which includes all performances and lessons with a professional pianist. A non-refundable deposit of $200 due upon acceptance.

  • Director Contact Information

Collegiate Prep graduates have attended:

  • Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Ohio

  • Cleveland Institute of Music, Ohio

  • Colorado State University School of Music, Fort Collins

  • Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Ohio

  • Peabody Conservatory of Music, Maryland

  • Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

  • University of Northern Colorado School of Music, Greeley

  • Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York

  • University of Wyoming School of Music, Laramie

  • Williams College, Massachusetts

College Prep FACULTY

Margaret Pressley
CPPP Director

Over the past 40 years, Margaret Pressley has served as one of the country’s foremost instructors of pre-college musicians. Ms. Pressley established the Pressley Violin Studio and founded the Seattle Conservatory of Music, the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Ms. Pressley has been recognized for her exceptional support, inspiration, and outstanding contributions toward the growth and development of music education, Ms. Pressley has led master classes, presentations and clinics in state and national conferences and has served as regional and national advisory panels. Currently she resides in Colorado Springs.

Kelly Zuercher
Collaborative Pianist

Kelly McSweeney Zuercher, principal pianist of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She has appeared throughout the U.S. as a soloist, chamber musician, and in concerts with her husband, David, trumpet of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.

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Mrs. Zuercher maintains a private piano studio; in addition, she is a composer and arranger for Sound Ideas Publications and for First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs. She has served on the piano faculties of Metropolitan State College in Denver, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and as an adjudicator for the Rocky Mountain International Amateur Pianists Competition. Mrs. Zuercher recently has appeared as piano soloist with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs.​

"I have been working with Margaret Pressley since the fall of 2021 and participated in the prep class for the 2022-2023 season. Margaret has helped me significantly in getting me into the college that I want. With her guidance, I was able to complete the entire college application process with much less stress than I thought was possible. Margaret is very passionate about teaching music and always goes above and beyond for all of her students. I felt incredibly supported having her by my side throughout my journey. Being in the prep class has tremendously helped my performance anxiety, performance etiquitte, as well as my speaking skills. The assignments that she gives to her students are also very well timed and thorough to ensure a very smooth application process as well as teach her students very important skills such as time management, writing, and making connections early on. I know that without Margaret’s help and the prep class, the conservatories that I’ve always wanted to attend would never make it out of my dreams. I highly recommend Margaret’s prep class to everyone who plans to be a musician for a living because I know that I definitely could not have done it without her."

​                   - Jasmine, attending the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

© 2026 Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association

Kathy Loo Center for the Arts - 3113 Primrose Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

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