FIMA Past Editions

FIESTRAVAGANZA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY

FIMA, Berlin’s first major piano summer academy founded in 2023, offers young talents exceptional opportunities including masterclasses, workshops, exclusive access to Bechstein’s Vintage Keyboard Collection, and both solo, chamber and orchestral performances hosted in the prestigious halls of the University of the Arts Berlin. The academy has evolved into an interfaculty program, drawing on the diverse expertise of representatives from multiple music disciplines.

A key objective of FIMA is to make high-quality music education accessible to young talents from all backgrounds and integrate them into Berlin’s rich artistic ecosystem. Participants work with leading professors and artists from Germany and around the world, learning in a setting that encourages inclusion, cooperation, and creativity. FIMA’s partnership with the Goethe-Institut Berlin adds another dimension to social integration by giving both international and local students direct access to German language learning and immersive experiences of Berlin’s historical and artistic heritage, further supporting the integration of guests into local life.

The academy’s public concerts and events offer Berliners free access to music performances, bringing new works and interpretations to local audiences and inviting the wider community to experience the city’s vibrant musical spirit. This strengthens Berlin’s reputation as a forward-thinking center for the arts. With this, FIMA cultivates the next generation of artists, inspires community participation, and ensures that music and cultural learning thrive in Berlin year after year.

FIMA 2026 marks an exciting new chapter for the Fiestravaganza International Music Academy, now expanding its scope to fully integrate both piano & strings. Renewing our cooperation with the University of the Arts Berlin on a deeper scale, FIMA brings together exceptional young musicians for intensive training, music collaborations, and high-level performances exclusively within Europe’s largest art institution.

Alongside the piano program, string players receive group coaching and masterclasses with members of the Artemis Quartet – internationally acclaimed performers and UdK professors, as well as members of two rising star ensembles – the Viatores Quartet (graduates from Hanns Eisler) and the Fiestravaganza Ensemble (graduates from UdK Berlin).

Looking ahead, FIMA strives to remain a recurring and dynamic event that continuously evolves – introducing new ideas and diverse possibilities so that no two editions are alike. This ongoing innovation helps attract both new and returning participants, offering a holistic approach to their growth as well-rounded artists.