As a young violin student at Juilliard, Toby Perlman imagined an antidote to the competitive and isolating environment that exceptional young artists often grapple with in the pursuit of their craft.

In the summer of 1994, along with her husband Itzhak, Toby established The Perlman Music Program (PMP) for aspiring young violinists, violists, cellists, bassists, and pianists. In 2000, a visionary group of supporters secured the program’s 28-acre home on Shelter Island overlooking Crescent Beach. This peaceful, secluded campus is the perfect setting for students to escape the demands of their complicated lives and come together to form a lasting community.

Toby’s dream is based on a deceptively simple idea: meet the needs of each child, respect and trust students, and immerse them in a nurturing environment that emphasizes connection over competition. At PMP, our young musicians learn how to be in the world. They collaborate, support each other, and contribute to camp life. Our faculty look beyond the surface of technical proficiency and focus on their students’ potential to be interesting artists. We safeguard talent and individuality, and encourage kids to explore, take risks, and develop at their own pace.

Today, PMP provides a vibrant curriculum of programs, residencies, concerts, mentorship, and educational engagement, filling more than 300 days of the year. The most promising young musicians from across the world have a platform to thrive, make music together, challenge each other, form life-long bonds, and transform their potential into a life-changing reality.