ABOUT FIMA
THE ACADEMY
Since its launch as the first major piano summer academy in Berlin back in 2023, over 40 international young pianists have benefitted from the “Fiestravaganza International Music Academy” (FIMA). Participants have the privilege of showcasing their talents through numerous performances, including the esteemed opportunity to perform a movement of a piano concerto with orchestra. In addition, participants receive masterclasses and workshops conducted by renowned instructors on both modern and vintage instruments. A distinctive highlight of FIMA is the exclusive access to Bechstein’s extensive Vintage Keyboard Instrument collection, providing participants with a unique opportunity to delve into musical history and craftsmanship.
FIMA’s collaboration with the University of the Arts Berlin offers participants a unique opportunity to perform in the majestic halls of Europe’s largest art institution. This partnership exposes young musicians to large audiences, while all concerts feature top-quality Bechstein D282 pianos, sponsored by C. Bechstein Berlin, ensuring a premium performance experience.
NEW STRINGS CATEGORY
FIMA continues to evolve and expand its offerings for young musicians. Building on its successful piano program, FIMA 2025 introduces an exciting new opportunity for talented young string players. This addition further cements FIMA’s position as a premier summer academy for aspiring musicians in Berlin. String participants will benefit from:
- Individual and group coaching from members of two emerging Berlin ensembles: The Viatores Quartet and The Fiestravaganza Ensemble.
- Opportunities to present solo, chamber and orchestral works.
- Chamber music rehearsals alongside piano peers and mentors.
- Concert performances in venues such as the University of the Arts Berlin.
- Selected participants will join the string sections of the Camerata Fiestravaganza at the FIMA 2025 closing gala.
CAMERATA FIESTRAVAGANZA
- An orchestra consisting of over 50 carefully selected, exceptional musicians.
- Built on members from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
- Students and alumni from Berlin’s major music universities (Universität der Künste, Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, and Barenboim-Said Akademie).
- The four mentors, all of whom are principals of the Camerata Fiestravaganza, will lead the string sections.
- Led by renowned conductor Evan-Alexis Christ.
2025 PROGRAM
When: 7pm
Where: UdK Berlin Concert Hall
What: Selected returning participants of FIMA perform piano concertos alongside Shaun Choo and the Camerata Fiestravaganza.
Where: Bechstein Concert Hall and Vintage Keyboard Instrument Collection
What: FIMA 2025 faculty will conduct individual lessons and lead workshops.
When: 7pm
Where: TBA
What: FIMA 2025 string participants perform various chamber music works alongside mentors and piano peers.
When: 7pm
Where: UdK Berlin Joseph-Joachim Hall
What: FIMA 2025 participants present various classical works in this recital.
When: 7pm
Where: UdK Berlin Joseph-Joachim Hall
What: Selected FIMA 2025 participants perform piano concertos with the Camerata Fiestravaganza, led by Evan-Alexis Christ.
SOLO & CHAMBER MUSIC COACHING BY
VIOLIN
Concert Master of the Camerata Fiestravaganza | First Violin of Viatores Quartet
Louisa is first violinist of the Viatores Quartet, winners of the 2024 Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Competition. She has collaborated with major orchestras and performed at top festivals. A Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben scholar, she plays the ex-Michel Schwalbe Guadagnini (1744), on loan from the German Instrument Fund.
VIOLIN
Principal Second Violinist of the Camerata Fiestravaganza | Member of the Fiestravaganza Ensemble
Aoi has won awards at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition 2023, 1st prize at Berlin’s Violinwettbewerb der Ibolyka-Gyarfas-Stiftung, and the Villars Music Academy’s Balik Prize. She has performed with the Geidai Philharmonia and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestras, plays a G. B. Guadagnini violin, and since 2024 is a Villa Musica Rheinland-Pfalz scholar.
VIOLA
Principal Violist of the Camerata Fiestravaganza | Member of the Fiestravaganza Ensemble
Since 2017, she has studied with Prof. Hartmut Rohde at the University of the Arts in Berlin, where she is principal violist of the university orchestra. From 2018 to 2020, she was principal viola of the European Union Youth Orchestra, performing at venues like the Concertgebouw and Royal Albert Hall. She is a member of Chamber Philharmonic Metamorphosen Berlin and, from March 2024, holds a temporary contract with the Dresden Philharmonic.
CELLO
Principal Cellist of the Camerata Fiestravaganza | Member of the Fiestravaganza Ensemble
A prizewinner at the International Janigro (2016) and Tonali Cello (2018) Competitions, she has performed at the Elbphilharmonie, Berliner Philharmonie, and Musikverein Vienna. Oliwia is a founder of the Musica Libera Ensemble and an orchestra coordinator for the Fiestravaganza International Music Academy. She plays a Paolo Castello cello, generously loaned by a private sponsor.
CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE WITH
MENTORS & PIANO PEERS
Piano Category
SELECTED PARTICIPANTS PERFORM ALONGSIDE MENTORS IN THE STRING SECTIONS OF THE
CAMERATA FIESTRAVAGANZA
ABOUT CAMERATA FIESTRAVAGANZA
Thanks to a grant in 2022 from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Media and Culture as part of NEUSTART KULTUR, the orchestra’s debut concert took place at the great hall of the UdK Berlin for a full house (under reduced seating capacity due to Covid) of nearly 650 attendees. Camerata Fiestravaganza is the resident orchestra of the Fiestravaganza International Music Academy. Every summer, the orchestra performs a marathon of piano concertos, featuring young soloists from all over the world.
CONCERT LOCATIONS
CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT
TO BE ANNOUNCED
ORCHESTRA CONCERT
UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS BERLIN | JOSEPH-JOACHIM HALL
With its tasteful, modern furnishings, it is located in the prestigious building of the old Joachimstaler Gymnasium, right next to Spichernstraße subway station. The UdK Berlin uses this hall for concerts, lecture evenings, symposia, competitions, master classes and examinations.
The hall offers space for 392 guests and is also easily accessible for wheelchair users. There are 352 seats in rows and a further 40 in alcoves.
COACHING & PRACTICE FACILITIES
BECHSTEIN SPANDAU
ABOUT BECHSTEIN SPANDAU
Twelve sound-isolated practice rooms, equipped with brand-new grand pianos, ensure adequate practice opportunities for all participants. A recreational area and resting room are also located on-site.
LA RAISON DE LA MUSIQUE
ABOUT LA RAISON DE LA MUSIQUE
Eight studios are equipped with high-quality grand pianos, all regularly tuned and maintained. The facility offers a variety of rooms of different sizes to accommodate diverse needs.
DELUXE ACCOMMODATION OFFER
ABOUT KPM HOTEL & RESIDENCES
The KPM Hotel & Residences combines a maximum of comfort and coziness with a clear, individual design signature. Opened in September 2019, it prides itself on its geographical location. Located directly at the northern entrance to the Great Tiergarten, nestled between the building ensemble of the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin and the Great Tiergarten, numerous Berlin hotspots are within walking distance. The S- Bahn “Tiergarten” stops a few meters from the hotel and allows you to immerse yourself quickly and stress-free in Berlin city lite.
Their 126 light-flooded rooms are private retreats. Rooms that impress with their clear design, the high quality of the materials and technical details such as smart TV and tablet or the fully equipped kitchenette which is available on request.
PARTICIPATION
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Solo Coaching by String Mentors
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Chamber Music Coaching by String Mentors
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Solo Performance Opportunities
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Chamber Music Concert With String Mentors & FIMA Piano Participants
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(Selected Participants) Orchestra Performance in the String Sections of the Camerata Fiestravaganza, led by String Mentors
REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can apply?
Because we believe that the activities offered at FIMA can benefit all classically-trained string students, participants will be evaluated based on their skill alone, regardless of age. Hence, both budding young talents and more established string players are welcome to join. Particularly young, talented but inexperienced string students are even encouraged, as they will benefit the most from the opportunities offered.
Is there a closing date for registrations?
Interested applicants may submit their registration at any time from now until one month before the academy begins. Late applications may be granted and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
When and how do applicants make payment?
- First time applicants may submit their application now, paying only a registration fee of €80. Upon reviewing the online video submission, they will be notified within a few days of the results of their application. If successful, applicants will then transfer the participation fee via a link provided to the online payment portal.
- Returning participants will pay the full participation fee on the last page of the application form. Their registration is immediately completed without any further steps.
Must participants work on the same pieces as submitted during their application? Must they be played from memory?
No, participants may choose to play a different set of pieces during the lessons and may present the same or different pieces to different mentors (if applicable). Just bear in mind that participants should prepare an adequate number of pieces in order for the intense lessons offered to be most effective.
Pieces can be played with the score. However, do note that only pieces which have been memorised will be considered for the solo concert performance.
How are participants chosen for the solo/chamber music concert?
The mentors will collectively decide who plays what at the solo concert, based on their impression working on the pieces during the lessons.
How long is each individual lesson?
The current allocated time per lesson is between 45 minutes and 1 hour, subject to the number of participants and faculty member in question. Even though we will try our best to uphold these timings, we seek your understanding and flexibility in the case of a large intake of participants.
Can participants observe fellow participant's lessons?
Definitely! Not only are they allowed to watch other participants, but they are highly encouraged to do so. After all, one can definitely learn much from listening to others!
Are parents/teachers allowed as observers?
Parents and teachers of participants will receive a guest pass at the start of the academy, which allows them full access to the lessons, workshops and concerts free of charge. All other external observers will be subject to a small entry fee.
Will there be ample practice possibilities?
Twelve brand-new practice rooms, many equipped with grand pianos, will be available throughout the academy and are directly located at the masterclass venue. Additionally, participants may also practice in the eight grand piano studios at La Raison de la musique. Rest assured, each participant will be allocated several hours of practice daily. A schedule will be created whereby participants can choose their preferred timeslot(s).
Where will participants stay during the academy?
One important aspect of organising an event is to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable. This applies not only to the participants, but their parents and teachers who accompany them. Hence, we sought out a partner hotel – KPM Hotel and Residences, a 5-star equivalent boutique hotel situated in one of Berlin’s most modern and cleanest districts with direct access to the main subway line. It is also within walking distance to the University of the Arts Berlin, where the concerts will take place.
Participants can book accommodation directly through us at a special rate, with no pre-payment required. Just select the respective accommodation offer on the application form and we will follow-up with the rest. Alternatively, participants may of course book their own accommodation.
Are meals and transportation included?
Unfortunately not. Given that participants are free to explore the city outside of their individual lesson time and scheduled workshops/rehearsals/concerts, we are unable to accommodate everyone’s preferred dietary requirements or provide exclusive transportation.
However, to further promote the cohesiveness of the class and encourage mingling, we may organise social activities on certain free evenings for participants and their accompanying parents/teachers.