Every year, the International Summer Academy welcomes musicians from all over the world to the Mozarteum University Salzburg. Founded in 1916 by Lilli Lehmann, the Summer Academy now offers masterclasses with outstanding teachers from the Mozarteum University as well as internationally renowned artists. The diverse programme offers space for intercultural encounters and musical fine-tuning.
Artistic Director
Vice Rector o. Univ.-Prof. Mag. Hannfried Lucke
Advisor to the artistic director, Contact for lecturers & events
Helena Mayer
+43 676 88122 365
helena.mayer@moz.ac.at
Contact for students & registration
Katrin Meraner
+43 676 88122 327
summer.academy@moz.ac.at
Mirabellplatz 1
5020 Salzburg
Registration 2026
1 March–7 April 2026
Course dates 2026
13 July–8 August 2026
Course Period 1: 13.-18.7.
Course Period 2: 20.-25.7.
Course Period 3: 27.7.-1.8.
Course Period 4: 3.-8.8.
Course Period 1: 13.-18.7.
Course Period 2: 20.-25.7.
Course Period 3: 27.7.-1.8.
Course Period 4: 3.-8.8.
Course Period 1: 13.-18.7.
Course Period 2: 20.-25.7.
Course Period 3: 27.7.-1.8.
Course Period 4: 3.-8.8.
Course Period 1: 13.-18.7.
Course Period 2: 20.-25.7.
Course Period 3: 27.7.-1.8.
Course Period 4: 3.-8.8.
Course Period 2: 20.-25.7.
Course Period 4: 3.-8.8.
Presentation and Workshop with String Consultation
Date: Course Period 4: 4.8. & 5.8.
Content:
In this free event, participants will learn everything important about selecting the right strings for their instrument. The presentation will delve into the various materials and constructions of strings and how they influence the sound of an instrument. Special attention will be given to string tension and balance, which play a significant role in optimizing the sound and adapting it to the musician’s needs.
The product managers from Thomastik-Infeld, Attila Pasztor and Stojan Jovanovic, will guide the participants through the world of string manufacturing. They will explain how different string constructions and tensions influence sound and demonstrate how choosing the right strings can solve common issues such as wolf tones, squeaky E-strings, poor response, and insufficient volume. Visuals like images and videos will be used to illustrate the influence of materials and constructions.
In the workshop that follows, the two experts will demonstrate how changing just one string can significantly modify the sound of an instrument. They will also provide practical tips for selecting the best strings and combinations for the participant's personal needs.
The event will conclude with individual string consultations, where Thomastik-Infeld provides free test strings. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with various strings and combinations under the expert guidance of Pasztor and Jovanovic to find the perfect fit for their instrument and playing style.
What’s Included:
This event is an excellent opportunity for musicians to learn about the crucial impact of strings on their instrument’s sound and receive personalized recommendations.
The physical health and mental balance of a musician are crucial for technical mastery and maximum enjoyment when performing. Many performers find that, unless they take an holistic approach to bodywork and mental strength, their artistic expression is restricted by tension, muscular overuse and subconscious blockages.
This course focuses on a combination of physiotherapeutic methods, targeted bodywork and mental techniques to promote a healthy, efficient, and relaxed playing style. Not only are physical movements optimised, but mental strategies are also employed to boost motivation and stabilise well-being, thus ensuring a sustainable and healthy musical practice.
Course Content:
Course Methods:
Objectives:
This course provides a balanced combination of physical and mental work, creating the foundation for a sustainable and healthy playing technique.
Hours of practice, repetitive strain and mental challenges – as a musician, you are under continuous pressure to perform. In order to enable a sustainably healthy practice of your musical activity, this course provides techniques and methods to improve both physical and mental strength.
Special exercises are used to enhance body perception and body awareness, to identify incorrect strain at an early stage and thereby optimize the quality of movement in interaction with the instrument. In addition, mental training methods are integrated into the coaching sessions to help break through obstructive thought patterns, make daily practice more efficient and increase well-being in performance situations.
The combination of physical training and mental training promotes a constructive approach to psychological and physical pressure and helps participants access their performance in a focused and reliable way.
Yoga for Musicians – Start Your Day with Energy, Focus, and Inspiration
Musical expression does not begin at your instrument—it begins in your body, your breath, and your state of mind. Musicians often face challenges such as performance pressure, stage fright, long practice hours, and physical tension. Over time, these can limit natural freedom of movement, concentration, and creativity.
This yoga course offers a valuable complement to musical training and performance. Through the mindful connection of breath and movement, tension can be released while body and mind settle into a state of calm clarity. From this foundation, greater presence, focus, and authentic expression can emerge—qualities that are essential for both learning and performing music.
The practice supports healthy posture, enhances body awareness, and encourages a free and natural flow of breath. At the same time, it strengthens the ability to remain centered, creative, and resilient, even in demanding situations.
Rather than striving for perfection, the emphasis is on experiencing balance, ease, and inner stability. From this relaxed state of alertness, creativity, musicality, and personal expression can develop naturally and effortlessly.
Who is it for?
For musicians of all levels who wish to develop a deeper awareness of their body as an instrument, prevent tension and strain, improve focus, and bring greater ease, enjoyment, and inspiration into their musical practice.
Benefits
After class, your body feels like a finely tuned instrument—strong, present, responsive, and ready for inspired musical performance.
The International Summer Academy is aimed at advanced students who are enrolled at universities or similar institutions and/or at musicians who are preparing for auditions/competitions. Our Young Excellence Program is specifically designed for highly talented young musicians under the age of 16. In general, there is no age limit for active participation.
In a total of four course periods, the International Summer Academy offers intensive one-week masterclasses with renowned lecturers and numerous additional workshops and talks. Active participation in a masterclass includes:
Certificate
Registration Fee per person: € 120,–
Masterclasses
Registration begins on 1st March and ends on 7th April 2026. We ask for your understanding that late registration is not possible.
Documents required for registration:
Additional courses can also be booked via online registration.
There is a right of cancellation within 14 days of making the payment; in this case, the entire fee will be refunded. If the cancellation is made before 7th April 2026, the course fee will be refunded. If the cancellation takes place after 7th April 2026, the course fee can only be refunded in justified exceptional cases.
After the application deadline, faculty members will review all applications and decide upon acceptance based on the videos provided within 14 days. We will inform you about your acceptance status as soon as possible via Email.
If you were not accepted into your desired masterclass, you have 3 options:
The course fee includes 3 hours/day for pianists. All other instrumentalists can practice 2 hours/day. More practice time is available for a small additional fee.
The individual schedule is created during the first meeting on Monday morning. Classes usually take place Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The week finishes with a matinee performance on Saturday morning, which will finish by approximately 2:00pm.
In addition, there are lectures, workshops, and concerts. You will receive the weekly schedule at check-in.
Accommodation is not included in the course fee. We kindly ask you to make your own accommodation arrangements. You can find a list of recommended options in the download area of the online registration page.
Please note: the student dorms in Salzburg are not available.
The singer Lilli Lehmann began giving private singing courses in the rooms of the Mozarteum in the summer of 1916, thus establishing the beginning of the International Summer Academy at the Mozarteum University. In 1925 Willy Schweyda added a first violin course to the Academy, and in 1929, with the support of the American Julian Freedman, the Summer Academy was expanded to include courses in piano, composition, conducting and opera. From 1930 to 1937 the institution was run as the "Musical Summer Courses", from 1937 to 1940 as the "Mozarteum Summer Academy" for music, theatre and dance, and between 1940 and 1944 as the "Summer Academy for Foreigners at the Mozarteum". After 1945 it was reorganised by Bernhard Paumgartner, and since 1947 it has borne the present name "International Summer Academy Mozarteum University". It has been led by Bernhard Paumgartner, Eberhard Preussner, Heinz Scholz, Robert Wagner, Paul Schilhawsky, Rolf Liebermann, Peter Lang, Paul Roczek, Alexander Müllenbach, Reinhart von Gutzeit, Siegfried Mauser and Wolfgang Holzmair.
Since 2019, the International Summer Academy has been directed by Hannfried Lucke.
We would like to express our thanks to those whose support, in the form of scholarships, enables numerous students to participate in the International Summer Academy at the Mozarteum.
Overview:
Prizewinners:
Overview:
Prizewinners:
Iordachi Ştefan, Violoncello (Romania), Class V. Radutiu
Chaokai Li, Piano (China), Class A. Weber
Sara Dragan, Violin (Poland), Class Z. Bron
Overview:
Prizewinners:
Overview:
Prizewinners:
