Masterclasses, In-Depth Sessions & Side-by-Sides
May 11-17 | Mahler Festival Bass Bash
Set around the Mahler Festival in Amsterdam, four world class orchestras will be in The Netherlands. Take part in this unique opportunity at the Davidsbündler Music Academy to learn from four internationally acclaimed double bassists from these orchestras over the course of one week. Coming from four diverse backgrounds, each has diverse set of values and qualities to share.
➢ Budapest Festival Orchestra principal bassist Zsolt Fejervari has been a member of the orchestra since 1994. Top prizewinner of the Bottesini Competition in 1996, Zsolt is regularly invited to perform at international chamber music festivals and sits on the juries of international competitions. He is a professor at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest.
➢ Chicago Symphony principal bassist, Alexander Hanna joined the orchestra in 2012, having previously been the principal bassist of the Detroit Symphony after graduating from the Curtis Institute. Alex is a professor at DePaul University as well as in the Sphinx Organization and Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative.
➢Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra bassist since 2013, Nicholas Schwartz was one of the youngest first prize winners ever of the International Society of Bassists Competition and the first bassist to win the Stulberg International String Competition in its 34 year history. Co-founder of the Davidsbündler Music Academy, Nicholas is an active soloist and chamber musician on both the double bass and cello.
➢Berlin Philharmonic principal bassist Janne Saksala is a passionate orchestral musician, soloist, chamber musician and teacher at renowned music institutions. Among other activities, he holds an annual master class at the Carl Flesch Academy in Baden-Baden, and has been a visiting professor at the “Hanns Eisler” School of Music Berlin for several years. He is now on the faculty of UDK Berlin.
11.05: Zsolt Fejervari, 15-22h
13.05: Alexander Hanna 15-22h
15.05: Nicholas Schwartz 15-22h
17.05: Janne Saksala 15-22h
Apply below for the full or partial course. See Conditions for more information.
Application Deadline: Apr 18, 2025
-4h of one-on-one lessons
-Includes in-depth discussions and dinners together with the professors on participating evenings
-host families may be available upon request
Jun 10-12 | Masterclasses with Norma Fisher
We are delighted to offer open masterclasses with Norma Fisher, piano professor at the Royal College of Music in London and legendary performer from the UK.
Norma Fisher was the student of legendary Greek pianist Gina Bachauer and was the winner of Ferruccio Busoni piano competition after which her career and international reputation flourished. She was regularly performing with all the leading orchestras of the UK such as London Symphony orchestra, Philharmonia orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and many others, was regularly performing at Royal Albert Hall at BBC Proms. Her reputation as a teacher is widely established and many of her prize-winning students are well known on the international concert circuit. She is regularly invited as a jury member to such competitions as Gina Bachauer (USA), Sydney Piano Competition (Australia), Young Musicians (Enschede), Newport (Wales) and many others. Norma is also the founder and artistic director of the London Master Classes which were held in London for 30 consecutive years.
Masterclass includes 3h one-on-one lessons with Norma.
Application Deadline: May 10, 2025
Jun 10, one-on-one lessons
Jun 11, one-on-one lessons
Jun 12, one-on-one lessons, In-Depth Session, Dinner, evening Student Concert
