VII Alion Baltic International Music Festival
Masterclasses: July 26 - August 9, 2020
Student concert tour: August 10-12


Summer Music Programs

Click on the icons below to view information about each summer music program:
ie Strings, Woodwinds & Brass, Piano, Voice, etc.

Alion Baltic Strings Program - Violin, Viola, Cello

    • The Strings Program at Alion Baltic is aimed to boost students to reach the highest level of performance. It outlines technical foundation and inspires brilliance in performance. Individual lessons, masterclasses, chamber ensemble, and subject instrumental lectures are taught by world-famous European and American string Professors. The beauty of Baltics contribute to the cultural experience, which is essential for artistic growth.

      Program includes:
      - 3 individual lessons with Professor per week
      - Master classes per week (open to public): students decide if they want to play for professor or just to listen
      - Chamber music (a chore part of the program: groups will be formed May 15-June 1, 2020)
      - Alion Baltic Chamber Orchestra - participation in the String section - 2 rehearsals per week
      - Attendance of subject lectures on string instruments by world-class faculty - Participation in the Strings Section at the Preliminary European Audition for the Gershwin Music Competition - July 22 Competition Page
      - Participation in student concerts in Riga and other Latvian cities
      - Concert tour in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland (July 25-29)
      - Attendance of concerts by Professors, Guest Artists, and students
      - Sightseeing walking tours around Riga and Tallinn

    • Each student receives 3 private lessons with an internationally-renowned artist faculty member.

    • Participants are preselected into chamber groups and assigned to partners and repertoire choices according to level, matched well in advance. Instrumentalists who register for Chamber Music/Orchestra Program will receive 2 fourty-five minute chamber coachings per week with Professors: Albert Markov, Michael Kugel, Anastasia Kozlova-de Haan, Isabel Villanueva, Igor Pikayzen, Michael Bulychev-Okser.

    • Join Alion Baltic International Music Festival this summer for a solo recital by Albert Markov is the trasure of violin playing of today. Recital is accompanien by Michael Bulychev-Okser. He is a Professor of Manhattan School of Music in New York, USA. He has performed with all major orchestras, with such conductors as Kurt Sanderling, Nathan Rachlin, Kirill Kondrashin, James Conlon, Neeme Jarvi, David Zinman, Andrew Litton, Lukas Foss, Sixten Ehrling, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Sergiu Comissiona, Sir Charles Groves.More info »

      Join Alion Baltic International Music Festival this summer for a masterclass with Pierre Amoyal is one of the most brilliant violinists of his generation. He began his music studies very early and was awarded a Premier Prix from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de musique de Paris at the age of 12. At the age of 17 he departed for Los Angeles to study with Jascha Heifetz, with whom he studied for five years.More info »

      Join Alion Baltic International Music Festival this summer for a masterclass with Felix Andrievsky is a Violin Professor at Royal College in London. he has worked in the Jerusalem Music Academy, in the Music Academy of Tel Aviv University, as professor and Director of Studies in the International Menuhin Academy in Gstaad, Switzerland; member of the jury in several international competitions, his pupils have become winners of international competitions and soloists and critically-acclaimed musicians worldwide.More info »

      Join Alion Baltic International Music Festival this summer for a masterclass with Raphael Wallfisch is one of the most celebrated cellists performing on the international stage.. At the age of twenty-four he won the Gaspar Cassadó International Cello Competition in Florence. Since then he has enjoyed a world-wide career playing with such orchestras as the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony, English Chamber Orchestra, Hallé, City of Birmingham Symphony, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Berlin Symphony, Westdeutscher Rundfunk, and...
      More info »

      Join Alion Baltic International Music Festival this summer for a masterclass with Alexandr Vinnitsky - Professor of Sibelius Academy and Moscow Conservatory. Acclaimed European violin teacher, whose 40 students has won prizes at top violin competitions. Jury member of prestigious competitions, including Tchaikovsky International, Oistrakh Competition, and Beethoven Cmpetition in Italy. He regularly gives numerous masterclasses around the world in: Russia, Kazakhstan, Austria, Germany Japan, China, France, Australia
      More info »

      Join Alion Baltic International Music Festival this summer for a masterclass with Michael Kugel is one of world most thought-after viola professors. He has taken part in festivals and has given masterclasses in Europe, America, Asia and Far East, participated and played recitals at 5 International Viola Congresses. Michael Kugel has enriched the viola reprtoire with many transcriptions and his own compositions: concerto for viola and orchestra, sonatas, duos, suitas, preludes etc. His compositions also include piano Sonata, quartets, Chamber Symphony were among others. They published in
      More info »

    • The orchestra presents weekly rehearsals, to culminate in the final Gala concert in Riga, Latvia on July 24. Orchestra assignments will be e-mailed to all orchestra members prior to the start of the festival.

    • Each year, many of the artist faculty give Lectures on subjects of their choice. The subjects of these Master Classes vary. Please see see lecture topics and schedule on our Events Page
      More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Students have the opportunity to sign up to perform either as a soloist or with their chamber group in the performance master classes. Master classes are open for attendance for all participants of the festival. Some of these Master Classes focus on specific composers and/or repertoire.
      More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Instrumentalists will have 4 hours of practicing time each day.

    • With concerts taking place almost every evening, students are exposed to a high level both from artist faculty and their colleagues as they watch each concert.
      Students will have an opportunity to perform on the same stage with Outstanding Artists, including Denia Gavazzeni, Anna Shafajinskaya and others. Concerts in Riga are offered and are combined with sight-seeing/concert trips to Tervede, Jurmala (Latvia), Palanga (Lithuania), Estonian cities Parnu and Tallinn, and a ferry trip to Helsinki (Finland).

Woodwinds: Flute & Clarinet

    • The unique aspect of the winds program is that students have the opportunity to explore repertoire that they do not usually get to study at home. Some players may have ensembles with all woodwinds, and others will play in mixed chamber music groups. A few examples of past repertoire include the Saint-Saens Septet, Op.65 for trumpet, 2 violins, viola, cello, bass, and piano; the Beethoven trios for flute, bassoon, and piano were the highlights of concerts in 2016 and 2017 seasons.
      Star Faculty presents principal flutist of several German orchestras, and lecturer at Mozarteum, Elisabeth Moest, and the distinguished internationally acclaimed clarinetist, Julian Milkis, the only student of legendary Benny Goodman.

      Program includes:
      - 3 individual lessons with Professor per week
      - Master classes per week (open to public): students decide if they want to play for professor or just to listen
      - Chamber music (a chore part of the program: groups will be formed May 15-June 1, 2020)
      - Alion Baltic Chamber Orchestra - participation in the Winds section - 2 rehearsals per week
      - Attendance of subject lectures on clarinet and flute by world-class faculty - Participation in the Winds Category at the Preliminary European Audition for the Gershwin Music Competition - July 22 Competition Page
      - Participation in student concerts in Riga and other Latvian cities
      - Concert tour in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland (July 25-29)
      - Attendance of concerts by Professors, Guest Artists, and students
      - Sightseeing walking tours around Riga and Tallinn

    • Each student receives 3 private lessons per week with Dr. Elisabeth Moest (Flute) or Julian Milkis (Clarinet).

    • Participants are preselected into chamber groups and assigned to partners and repertoire choices according to level, matched well in advance. Instrumentalists receive two fourty-five minute chamber coachings per week with award-winning Julian Milkis, Elisabeth Moest, Michael Bulychev-Okser, and other Professors.

    • The orchestra rehearses for the duration of the festival, culminating in the final Gala on July 24 in Riga, Latvia. Orchestra assignments will be given at the festival.

    • Each year, many of the artist faculty give Master Classes and Lectures on subjects of their choice. The subjects of these Master Classes vary. Please see see lecture topics and schedule on our Events Page
      More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Join Alion Baltic International Music Festival this summer for a masterclass with Julian MilkisAward-winning distinguished clarinetist. With a unique, branded sound, a virtuosic technical ease and a musical imagination that has captivated critics and audiences alike around the world, Julian Milkis carries the rare honor of being the only student of the clarinet legend Benny Goodman. Mr. Milkis’ unique interpretations and artistry have earned him an international stature of a dazzling soloist, chamber musician, recitalist and More info »

      Join Alion Baltic International Music Festival this summer in Tallinn for a masterclass with Dr. Elisabeth Möst concert flutist from Austria. Elisabeth Moest’s concerts are an experience. With her beautiful sound, her ability to affect and her deeply impressing musicality she creates an atmosphere in the concert hall, which never fails to fascinate.More info »

    • Students have the opportunity to sign up to perform either as a soloist or with their chamber group in the performance master classes. Master classes are open for attendance for all participants of the festival. Some of these Master Classes focus on specific composers and/or repertoire.
      More info - List of Master Classes »

    • flutists and Clarinetists will have 4 hours of practicing time each day.

    • With concerts taking place almost every evening, students are exposed to a high level both from artist faculty and their colleagues as they watch each concert.
      Students will have an opportunity to perform on the same stage with Outstanding Artists, including Denia Gavazzeni, Anna Shafajinskaya and others. Concerts in Riga are offered and are combined with sight-seeing/concert trips to Tervede, Jurmala (Latvia), Palanga (Lithuania), Estonian cities Parnu and Tallinn, and a ferry trip to Helsinki (Finland).

Piano

    • Piano Program is designed with an aim to boost students to the next level of playing. Lessons and masterclasses are taught by eminent Professors: Dmitri Bashkirov, Piotr Paleczny, Pavel Nersessian, Olga Kern, Pascal Nemirovsky, Min Kwon, Yin Cui, Michael Bulychev-Okser among others. The beauty of Baltics add to the cultural experience, which is ideal for artistic growth.

      Program includes:
      - 3 individual lessons with Professor per week
      - Master classes per week (open to public): students decide if they want to play for professor or just to listen
      - Chamber music - Piano with other instruments ( groups will be formed May 15-June 1, 2020)
      - Attendance of Piano subject lectures by world-class faculty (e.g. legacy-lecture "My legacy in recordings/performance practice" by Dmitri Bashkirov).
      - Participation in the Piano Category at the Preliminary European Audition for the Gershwin Music Competition - July 22 Competition Page
      - Participation in student concerts in Riga and other Latvian cities
      - Concert tour in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland (July 25-29)
      - Attendance of concerts by Professors, Guest Artists, and students
      - Sightseeing walking tours around Riga and Tallinn

    • Each student receives 3 private lessons with an internationally-renowned artist faculty member.

    • Participants are preselected into chamber groups and assigned to partners and repertoire choices according to level, matched well in advance (Register by may 15th). Instrumentalists who request chamber music will receive 2 fourty-five minute chamber coachings per week with Dmitri Bashkirov, Michael Kugel, Anastasia Kozlova-de Haan, Isabel Villanueva, Igor Pikayzen, Michael Bulychev-Okser or other faculty members.

    • Russian-American pianist Olga Kern is now recognized as one of her generation’s great artists. With her vivid stage presence, passionately confident musicianship and extraordinary technique, the striking pianist continues to captivate fans and critics alike. Olga Kern was born into a family of musicians with direct links to Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff and began studying piano at the age of five. She jumpstarted her U.S. career with her historic Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, Texas as the first woman to do so in more than thirty years.More info »

      He became an Honored Artist of the RSFSR in 1968 and a People's Artist of the RSFSR in 1990. Bruno Canino was born in Naples, Italy in 1935, where he studied piano with Vincenzo Vitale. He continued his musical education in Milan, studying both piano and composition. His teachers included Enzo Calace and Bruno Bettinelli. In 1956 and again in 1958 he won prizes at the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition and in 1960 at the Darmstadt competition. He is a recording artist with the Swiss classical record label Claves, with which he has recorded works of Johann Sebastian Bach and Beethoven.More info »

      As a pedagogue at the Moscow Conservatory (and later at the Queen Sofia College of Music in Madrid), he raised many internationally renowned artists such as Arcadi Volodos, Dmitri Alexeev, Luis Fernando Pérez, Dang Thai Son, Nikolai Demidenko, Elena Bashkirova, Kirill Gerstein, Denis Kozhukhin, Eldar Nebolsin, Vestards Šimkus, David Kadouch, Jong Hwa Park, Claudio Martinez Mehner, Bruno Vlahek, Plamena Mangova, Stanislav Ioudenitch and many others.

      Bashkirov has a daughter, Elena Bashkirova, who is married to Daniel Barenboim.

      One of the most outstanding Polish pianists and professors, laureate of five international piano competitions. He completed piano studies at the Frederick Chopin Music University in Warsaw in the class of prof. Jan Ekier. The opportunity of having artistic contact with Arthur Rubinstein and Witold Lutoslawski also had a huge impact on the final development of his artistic personality.

      His success achieved at the 8th Frederick Chopin International Piano Competition opened to Piotr Paleczny the doors of many prestigious world concert halls. Receiving, in company of Garrick Ohlsson and Mitsuko Uchida - the Third Prize, the Special Prize for the best performance of a Polonaise and the Witold Małcużyński Prize his career, which

      “His performance brought a veritable roar of approval from the audience,” wrote the Irish Times, after Pavel Nersessian received the 1st Prize in the GPA Dublin International Piano Competition in 1991. More info »

      Being one of the most remarkable pianists of his generation in Russia, he is known for his ability to play equally convincingly in the whole palette of the piano repertoire. He won prizes in the Beethoven Competition in Vienna in 1985, the Paloma O’Shea Competition in Santander, and the Tokyo Competition.

    • Each year, many of the artist faculty give Master Classes on subjects of their choice. The subjects of these Master Classes vary. Please see see lecture topics and schedule on our Events Page
      More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Students have the opportunity to sign up to perform either as a soloist or with their chamber group in the performance master classes. Master classes are open for attendance for all participants of the festival. Some of these Master Classes focus on specific composers and/or repertoire.
      More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Pianists will have 4 hours of daily practicing time..

    • Pianists will have an opportunity to perform their repertoire in front of fellow students and faculty members and have comments on their playing.

    • With concerts taking place almost every evening, students are exposed to a high level both from artist faculty and their colleagues as they watch each concert.
      Students will have an opportunity to perform on the same stage with Outstanding Artists, including Denia Gavazzeni, Anna Shafajinskaya and others. Concerts in Riga are offered and are combined with sight-seeing/concert trips to Tervede, Jurmala (Latvia), Palanga (Lithuania), Estonian cities Parnu and Tallinn, and a ferry trip to Helsinki (Finland).

Voice

    • The voice program combines advanced operatic study with practical knowledge on how to present your talent on stage, and apply practical knowledge during audition to Major Opera Houses.
      Vocal students will have the opportunity to cover variety of repertoire: from Handel to Wagner.
      Vocal techniques covered include Opera Lirique, bel Canto, etc.
      In addition to vocal duets, students an opportunity to learn something they do not normally have a chance to study at home: mixed vocal/instrumental ensembles.
      Numerous performance opportunities in Riga and various cities give a chance to try in practice the repertoire learned.
      Star Faculty and Guest Artists list features Teatro Alla Scala soloist, Denia Mazzola Gavazzeni, Internationally acclaimed dramatic soprano, who performed with Pavarotti and Dmitri Khvorostovsky, Ana Shafajinskaya, and award-winning Estonian vocalists Pille Lill and Marion Melnik.

      Program includes:
      - 3 individual lessons with Professor per week
      - Vocal technique - Lyrique /Bel Canto/Wagner - Diction in Italian, French, German, English - Coaching class with pianist - Ensembles: vocal duet, trio or mixed ensemble with other instruments.
      - Participation in the Preliminary European Audition for the Gershwin Music Competition - July 22 Competition Page
      - Participation in student concerts in Latvia
      (Please see Events Calendar)
      - Concert tour in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland (July 25-29)
      - Opera Workshops on how successfully prepare & pass audition to opera theater: by Denia Gavazzeni/Anna Shafajinskaya (Week 2) and Pille Lill (Week 3)
      - Opportunity to sing your aria with Alion Baltic String orchestra (Baroque or Classical repertoire only)
      - Attendance of concerts and lectures by festival Professors and Guest Artists
      - Sightseeing tours in Riga and other cities

    • Each student receives 3 private lessons with an internationally-renowned artist faculty member.

    • Vocalists will be assigned to a pianist - vocal coach, who will work with them, rehearsing their arias and art songs, provide accompaniment, and advise on their progress.

    • Vocalists are assigned into vocal or instrumental ensembles according and repertoire choice and level, matched well in advance (By June 1). Vocalists who request chamber music will receive ensemble lessons with Denia Gavazzeni, Anna Shafajinskaya, or instrumental faculty member (mixed ensembles).

    • Anna Shafajinskaia is one of the world’s foremost dramatic sopranos. Recent highlights include her Seattle Opera debut as Odabella ATTILA; Morgana Anna ShafajinskayaTHE LOVE OF THREE ORANGES for De Nederlandse Opera; her role debut as Santuzza CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA for New Zealand Opera; her role debut in the title role LADY MACBETH OF MTSENSK in her Israeli Opera debut and a return to Welsh National Opera in the title role TURANDOT.

      In addition to these she has also performed the title role Iolanta for the Louisville Orchestra and Kentucky Opera conducted by Jorge Mester; Britten WAR REQUIEM in Porto; Maddalena de Coigny ANDREA CHENIER at Teatro Real in Madrid and the title role TURANDOT for Theater Bremen, the National Centre for the Performing Arts in China and at the opening of the Guangzho Opera House in China with Lorin Maazel.
      More info »

      Join Alion Baltic International Music Festival this summer in Riga for a masterclasses with Denia Mazzola Gavazzeni,Soloist - Teatro Alla Scala. Denia Mazzola Gavazzeni is an italian soprano, founder and president of "AB HARMONIAE ONLUS" association. From 1982, she sing all over the world, performing over 174 operas, oratorio, and sinfonico vocale.
      More info »

    • Selected vocalists will have opportunity to perform arias with orchestra. Date: TBA. Please submit your repertoire to globe333@hotmail.com to participate.

    • Each year, many of the artist faculty give Open Master Classes on subjects of their choice. In 2020, Denia Gavazzeni and Anna Shafajinskaya will present lecture on "How to present yourself on stage and successfully pass audition to Major Opera Houses". More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Diction in Italian, German, French, and English are essential for vocalists of any age and level. Diction in Italian, German and French is taught in practice during vocal lessons with Professors, and selected from students' repertoire; elements of each language discussed.
      More info - Schedule of Vocal Lessons »

    • Vocalists will have up to 4 hours of practicing time each day.

    • With concerts taking place almost every evening, students are exposed to a high level both from artist faculty and their colleagues as they watch each concert.
      Students will have an opportunity to perform on the same stage with Outstanding Artists, including Denia Gavazzeni, Anna Shafajinskaya and others. Concerts in Riga are offered and are combined with sight-seeing/concert trips to Tervede, Jurmala (Latvia), Palanga (Lithuania), Estonian cities Parnu and Tallinn, and a ferry trip to Helsinki (Finland).

Alion Baltic Composition Program

    • The Alion Baltic Composition Program is a 2-week summer course, designed to provide exposure to aspiring student composers. The program engages composers through individual lessons with Professor Michael Bulychev-Okser, and open masterclasses with Janis Petraskevics (Professor of Latvian Academy of Music) See Biography here

      Special emphasis is given to chamber music writing, orchestration based on studying the scores of the greatest orchestrators of the past: Rimsky-Korsakov, Ravel, Mahler, etc.
      The beauty of Baltics inspire cultural experience, which is essential for artistic growth.

      Program includes:
      - 2 individual lessons per week with Professors Michael Bulychev-Okser (USA) and Janis Petraskevics (Latvia)
      - 1 Master class with Professor Janis Petraskevics (open to public) where your music will be presented by student-soloists and chamber groups
      - Chamber music (if student-composer plays any instrument, he/she must register and choose ensemble group by May 15, 2020)
      - Orchestra placement (if student-composer plays any instrument, he/she can choose to be a member of Alion Baltic Chamber Orchestra)
      - Your music is performed at concerts in Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Lithuania
      - Orchestra Reading: Live reading with the Alion Baltic Chamber Orchestra (is available to student-compsoers registered to 3-week program only)
      - Attendance of all festival concerts by Outstanding Artists, Professors and Students
      - Sightseeing walking tours around Riga & Tallinn

    • Each student receives two private lessons + 1 master class

    • If a student composer plays an instrument, he/she may be part of chamber groups and assigned to partners and repertoire choices according to level, matched well in advance (Register by may 15th). Composers, who request chamber music will receive 2 fourty-five minute chamber coachings per week with Mikhail Voskresensky, Michael Kugel, Anastasia Kozlova-de Haan, Isabel Villanueva, Igor Pikayzen, Michael Bulychev-Okser, and other faculty members.

    • Alion Baltic International Music festival gives its composition students an opportunity to have their music red by Alion Baltic Chamber Orchestra (opportunity available to students registered for 3-week program).
      All performances will be recorded and can be used for future references and to expand one's compositional resume.

    • Composition master class includes performances of 3 selected works by student composers. The format of masterclass includes performance of works by student ensembles in residence & soloists as well as live discussion of a work.
      The masterclass will be led by Professors Michael Bulychev-Okser (USA) and Janis Petraskevics (Latvia) and will be open for discussion by other student composers and audience members. More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Student composers will have 4 hours of individual composing time to make a statement with their next creative idea or to rehearse their works with other participants at the festival.

    • With concerts almost every night, students are exposed to a high level both from artist faculty and their colleagues as they watch each concert. Student composers are welcome to attend each concert.
      Composers who play an instrument are welcome to participate in concerts as part of Chamber Music group or Alion baltic Chamber Orchestra.
      Concerts take place in Riga. Concert/sight-seeing bus trips take students to Tervede, Jurmala (Latvia), Palanga (Lithuania), Estonian cities Pärnu and Tallinn, and a ferry trip to Helsinki (Finland).

Classical Guitar

    • The Alion Baltic Classical Guitar Program is an all-encompassing program that offers lessons and masterclasses instruction with renowned Latvian guitarist Kaspars Zemitis.
      The study focuses on technique, sound quality, and interpretation of all guitar repertoire, as well as applying knowledge in a practical performance at student concerts.
      Schedule will be developed on individual basis for each student. Qualified students enjoy many opportunities for performance, including chamber music collaborations.

    • Each student receives 2 private lessons + 1 master class per week with an internationally-renowned Kaspars Zemitis (Latvia).

      Program includes:
      - 2 individual lessons with Professor per week
      - 1 Master class (open to other students & public)
      - Chamber music (optional - must register and choose ensemble group by May 15, 2020)
      - Participation in the Strings Section at the Preliminary European Audition for the Gershwin Music Competition - July 22 Competition Page
      - Participation in student concerts in Riga and other Latvian cities
      - Concert tour in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland (July 25-29)
      - Alion Baltic Chamber Orchestra - guitarist can participate as a supportive string instrument
      - Attendance of concerts by Professors, Guest Artists, and students
      - Sightseeing walking tours around Riga and Tallinn

    • Guitarists are preselected into chamber groups and assigned to partners and repertoire choices according to level, matched well in advance (Register by May 15). Combinations may include Guitar duets, trios, or bigger ensembles. Alternatively, guitar students may participate in a mixed ensemble: guitar with other instruments. Instrumentalists receive two fourty-five minute chamber coachings per week with Alion Baltic faculty members.

    • Join Alion Baltic International Music Festival this summer in Tallinn for a masterclass with Kaspars Zemitis, Latvian guitar virtuoso and Professor at Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. Kaspars Zemitis is one of the most outstanding acoustic guitar masters in Latvia. He is a versatile and demanding musician who plays in various genres and compositions. Kaspars has been a member of the legendary group "Time after time". He plays accompaniment to singers Linda Leen, Intar Busul and Renar Kauper, and performs together with the Latvian Radio Choir and the Latvian State Academic Choir. More info »

    • The orchestra presents weekly rehearsals, to culminate in the final Gala concert in Riga, Latvia. Orchestra assignments will be e-mailed to all orchestra members prior to the start of the festival.
      Guitarists will perform in the orchestra as part of strings section.

    • Each year, many of the artist faculty give Master Classes on subjects of their choice. Kaspars Zemitis masterclass topic will emphasize own arrangements for guitar with Live demonstration. More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Students have the opportunity to sign up to perform either as a soloist in a masterclass by Kaspars Zemitis (exact date to be confirmed). Master classes are open for attendance for all participants of the festival. More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Guitar students will have 4 hours of practicing time each day.

    • With concerts almost every night, students are exposed to a high level both from artist faculty and their colleagues as they watch each concert. Students will have an opportunity to perform on the same stage with Outstanding Artists, including Albert Markov, Alexander Viinitsky, and Pierre Amoyal. Concerts take place in Riga. Concert/sight-seeing bus trips take students to Tervede, Jurmala (Latvia), Palanga (Lithuania), Estonian cities Pärnu and Tallinn, and a ferry trip to Helsinki (Finland).

Alion Baltic Chamber Orchestra - all instruments

    • In addition to weekly private lessons, students in this program play in the Alion Baltic Chamber Orchestra.
      The orchestra consists for the most part from students enrolled in the program and enhanced by members of professional orchestras in Latvia, Estonia, and Russia.
      Alion Baltic Orchestra program provides students enrolled with an opportunity to develop their orchestral playing skills and rehearse and perform major orchestral works.
      The orchestra is led by Latvian Professor Conductor, Professor at Latvian Academy of Music.
      Students of all ages are welcome to Alion Baltic International Orchestra. Students under 17 must send videos of their playing to be placed in the orchestra.

      Program includes:
      - Weekly Orchestra Rehearsals - 1 individual lesson with Professor per week
      - 1 Master class (open to public) per week
      - Chamber music
      - Participation in the Strings Section at the Preliminary European Audition for the Gershwin Music Competition - July 22 Competition Page
      - Participation in student concerts in Riga and other Latvian cities
      - Concert trips to Estonia, Lithuania and Finland
      - Attendance of all festival concerts: by Professors, Guest Artists, and students
      - Sightseeing walking tours around Riga and Tallinn

    • Alion Baltic Chamber Orchestra performs 2 weekly concerts. In the past, orchestra performance venues included Estonia Concert Hall and Chamber Hall of Tallinn Philharmony (Mustpeade Maja).
      The rehearsal and performance schedule is inspiring; both rehearsals and performances are at a high professional standard.

    • Alion baltic Chamber orchestra is composed of Alion Baltic artist-faculty members and students in side-by-side performance.
      It is led by renowned Latvian Conductor, and joined for most concerts by star guest soloists: Julian Milkis and Igor Pikayzen.
      Repertoire consists of standard orchestra works.

    • Each year, many of the artist faculty give Master Classes on subjects of their choice. The subjects of these Master Classes vary.
      Orchestra members are welcome to attend any instrumental or vocal masterclass as audience members
      More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Principal and assistant of the Alion Baltic International Orchestra will be chosen. If you seek to be a principal, please submit your video at the festival Orchestra Email

    • Orchestra members will have 4 hours of individual practicing time each day.

    • Based on the results of the Alion Baltic International Competition, selected instrumentalists, vocalists, or pianists can be chosen to perform as soloists with Alion Baltic Orchestra in 2020.

    • With concerts almost every night, students are exposed to a high level both from artist faculty and their colleagues as they watch each concert. Students will have an opportunity to perform on the same stage with Outstanding Artists, including Albert Markov, Alexander Viinitsky, and Pierre Amoyal.
      Students enrolled in the Orchestra program are welcome to join concerts either in a solo performance or as part of a Chamber Music Group.
      Concerts take place in Riga. Concert/sight-seeing bus trips take students to Tervede, Jurmala (Latvia), Palanga (Lithuania), Estonian cities Pärnu and Tallinn, and a ferry trip to Helsinki (Finland).

Alion Baltic Chamber Music

    • The Alion Baltic Chamber Music Program presents effective coaching and performance opportunity, which supplements the orchestral and performance programs.
      Pre-formed groups are created between May 15 to June 1, 2020
      The Chamber Music program is aimed to boost students to the next level of playing. The beauty of Baltics inspire cultural experience, which is essential for artistic growth.

      Program includes:
      - 2 chamber music coachings per week
      - Participation in the Chamber Music Section at the Preliminary European Audition for the Gershwin Music Competition - July 22 Competition Page
      - Participation in student concerts in Riga and other Latvian cities
      - Concert trips to Estonia, Lithuania and Finland
      - Alion Baltic Chamber Orchestra program
      - Attendance of concerts by Professors, Guest Artists, and students
      - Sightseeing walking tours around Riga and Tallinn

    • Instrumentalists who request chamber music will receive 2 fourty-five minute chamber coachings per week with Albert Markov, Michael Kugel, Anastasia Kozlova-de Haan, Isabel Villanueva, Igor Pikayzen, Michael Bulychev-Okser, and other faculty members.

    • All participants are preselected into chamber groups and assigned to partners and repertoire choices according to level, matched well in advance.
      Students participate in orchestra simultaneously.

    • The orchestra presents weekly rehearsals, to culminate in the final Gala concert in Riga, Latvia. Orchestra assignments will be e-mailed to all orchestra members prior to the start of the festival.

    • Students have the opportunity to sign up to perform either as a soloist or with their chamber group in the performance master. Master classes are open to all participants of the festival. Many of these Master Classes focus on specific composers or repertoire. More info - List of Master Classes »

    • Instrumentalists will have 4 hours of daily practicing time.

    • With concerts almost every night, students are exposed to a high level both from artist faculty and their colleagues as they watch each concert. Students will have an opportunity to perform on the same stage with Outstanding Artists, including Albert Markov, Alexander Viinitsky, and Pierre Amoyal. Concerts take place in Riga. Concert/sight-seeing bus trips take students to Tervede, Jurmala (Latvia), Palanga (Lithuania), Estonian cities Pärnu and Tallinn, and a ferry trip to Helsinki (Finland).