Gunnison
Orchestral &
Vocal
Academy
July 14-25, 2026
The Gunnison Orchestral and Vocal Academy (GOVA) is a premier summer program dedicated to cultivating artistry, collaboration, and excellence in music. Located in the breathtaking Colorado Rockies, GOVA provides young artists with world-class training in a supportive, inspiring environment.
Led by Colorado Music Hall of Fame inductee bass-baritone Keith Miller and Colorado Symphony Concertmaster Yumi Hwang-Williams, GOVA combines rigorous instruction with a vibrant community, bringing together distinguished faculty and passionate students for unforgettable experiences in orchestral music, vocal performance, chamber music, and musical theatre.
Western Colorado University
GOVA 2026
Join us in Gunnison, Colorado, for eleven days of intensive training, collaboration, and performance in a setting that inspires creativity.
Orchestral/Chamber Program
The Repertoire
This season's performances center on two cornerstones of the orchestral repertoire — one a sweeping symphonic journey, the other a blaze of operatic color.
Antonín Dvořák — Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World"
Among the most beloved symphonies ever written, Dvořák's Ninth was composed during the Czech master's years in America and channels the wide-open spirit of a new continent through his unmistakable Bohemian voice. From the brooding power of its opening movement to the aching beauty of the famous Largo — with its hymn-like English horn melody — and the headlong energy of the finale, the "New World" Symphony is a work of enormous sweep and emotional generosity. It is a piece that seems made for a landscape this vast.
Georges Bizet — Carmen Suite No. 1
Drawn from Bizet's iconic opera, the first Carmen Suite distills the drama into a sequence of vivid orchestral scenes. Fiery Spanish rhythms, the soaring strings of the Intermezzo, and the swaggering brass of the Toreadors' march make this one of the most thrilling showpieces in the orchestral catalogue — a perfect companion to Dvořák's grandeur, and an exhilarating display of the ensemble's range and virtuosity.
Distinguished 2026 Faculty
GOVA's concerts are anchored by an exceptional roster of principal and concertmaster-level artists from across the country, performing alongside the academy ensemble:
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Keith Miller — GOVA Artistic Director (Metropolitan Opera)
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Yumi Hwang-Williams — Concertmaster, Colorado Symphony Orchestra
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Sean K. Claire — Concertmaster, Symphony of the Mountains
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Michael Yopp — Principal Horn, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra
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Joshua Ulrich — Viola, Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra
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An-Lin Bardin — Cello, Bardin-Niskala Duo
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Terri Sundberg — Professor of Flute, University of North Texas
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Gary Sperl — Principal Clarinetist, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
See our full faculty roster here.
Performance Dates:
Clarinet Chamber Concert - July 19, 2026
Festival Orchestra Concert - July 24, 2026
Performances held on the campus of Western Colorado University. Times TBA.
Vocal Program
Vocal applications have closed for 2026. Keep an eye on this page for more opportunities!
TESTIMONIALS
“Everyone working on this program is generous of time and knowledge. They want you to succeed and will take steps to support you even after you have left the beauty of the mountains.”
GOVA '25 Participant Carly Cummings
“The atmosphere was—seriously—super friendly, accepting, comforting, inspiring, exciting, and fun. That’s what makes me want to fulfill my dreams.”
GOVA '25 Participant Julien Klingsmith
Join Us in Gunnison
As a part of the Imagine 212 mission, GOVA is more than a program—it’s a movement to make high-level artistic training accessible to all. With support from Western Colorado University and the broader arts community, we are building a program that serves students and enriches the cultural life of the Rockies.
Be part of something extraordinary. Experience world-class training, breathtaking surroundings, and the joy of music-making at GOVA 2026.
Message from the Director -
Keith Miller
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
— Albert Einstein
Dear Artists, Patrons, and Friends,
When we look around us, everything we see began with a simple question: What if?
At the heart of GOVA is a deep commitment to imagination. We encourage both our artists and our audiences to envision what is possible, while providing the tools, training, and opportunities needed to transform ideas into reality. Through education, disciplined effort, and unwavering dedication, we strive to produce extraordinary performances that celebrate authentic expression and artistic excellence.
GOVA and Imagine212 exist to uplift creativity, challenge boundaries, and showcase the power of dance, vocal and orchestral artistry at its highest level. Together, we cultivate a community where imagination leads, craft is honored, and artistry thrives.
Welcome to GOVA. Welcome to Imagine212.
Now, let us imagine what we can make happen—together.
Warm regards,
General and Artistic Director - Keith Miller
GOVA 2025 – Our First Year
In 2025, we launched the Gunnison Orchestral and Vocal Academy with a vision: to create an immersive, artist-driven community where young musicians could thrive.
Our inaugural year brought together faculty artists, students, and the Gunnison community for a week of unforgettable performances and training.
Highlights included:
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Chamber music performances with guest artists
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Vocal showcases featuring emerging singers
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Community engagement events, such as performances by members of the Colorado Symphony and Grammy-winning vocalist Michelle DeYoung.
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The first steps toward building a lasting tradition of excellence in the Colorado Rockies
To learn more about GOVA '25, check out the following resources: