International Summer Academy selects 12 award winners

The 2023 prizewinners:

Francesco Papa, violin (Italy), master class S. Marcovici

Zahra Sebnat, soprano (Germany), master class C. Strehl & P. Tukiainen

Shujun Wang, piano (China), master class J. Margulis

Lina Nakano, violin (Japan), master class P. Roczek

Chansong Yang, viola (South Korea), master class W. Strehle

Chinatsu Hatano, soprano (Austria), master class M. Diaz

Victoria Wong, piano (Canada) master class D. Yoffe

Céleste Pinel, mezzo-soprano (France) master class Z. Kushpler

Yo-Eun Seol, violin (South Korea) Master Class K. Troussov

Fangzhou Ye, piano (China), master class A. Weber

Curtis Phill Hsu, piano (USA), master class A. Vardi

Mathilde Reuzé, violoncello (France), master class R. Rosenfeld

New features were not only the streamlined course concept and appearance, but also the focus on musicians' health and weekly artist talks. In three sessions with Salzburg Festival artists, questions about studies, competitions, auditions, agencies, business and concert programs were answered by conductor Anna Handler, baritone Máté Herczeg and composer Alexander Bauer. This format forms another attractive building block for the education of young musicians*.

"I would never have thought that I could learn so much and make such great progress in such a short time," says a delighted German soprano Anne-Sophie Fromentel. Many participants took advantage of the Summer Academy's offerings to prepare for competitions, auditions and auditions. Japanese violinist Kanji Uehara describes her impressions in Salzburg as follows: "Honestly, it was the best week I had this year. I have never had a lesson that was better and more fun! It taught me the joy and passion of music!"

In addition, a total of 18 faculty from other colleges and universities from Spain to Norway to China were in attendance to attend master classes as guest students as part of a continuing education program.

More voices from students:

"Behind me lies a unique and inspiring week in the city of Mozart. It was not only a time of visiting Salzburg and admiring the Alpine landscape, but also a time of intense physical activity and fruitful teaching at the Mozarteum University. By the way, I made a small contribution to the dissemination of Maria Szymanowska's work outside Poland - at the final concert I was allowed to perform the Polonaise in F minor. Thank you very much. It was a wonderful experience!" Karolina Wahl, piano (Poland)

"This year, I had the great chance to be part of the @internationalesommerakademie and participate in the masterclass of a wonderful singer and professor @zoryanakushpler. It was my first masterclass ever, and I can just say that I am unbelievably happy that I was in such great hands. I never thought that I would learn so much in such a short period of time and see great progress. So thank you sooooo much." Anne-Sophie Fromentel, Soprano (Germany)

"Honestly the best week I had this year at @internationalesommerakademie with @violinpedagogue. I never had a lesson that was better and funnier! He taught me the joy and passion in music!" Kanji Uehara, Violin (Japan)

An incredibly interesting, fun, eye (and ear) opening masterclass with Peter Ovtcharov! Madita Warter, Piano (Austria)

All in all, I’m most grateful to the Mozarteum and it’s wonderful teachers and staff for allowing us the opportunity to learn from true masters. I’ve learned and gained knowledge and skills from the masters that I have not been able find elsewhere. The combination of actively participating in the classes and auditing other masterclasses makes the Summer Academy a truly enriching musical learning experience. Alec Jeong, Tenor (USA)