A Surge of Violinists to Kuhmo

The Kuhmo masterclasses have once again attracted exceptionally talented music students from around the world. This year, the violin and cello masterclasses have been particularly popular. New students have been drawn to Kuhmo by internationally renowned instructors, such as: Réka Szilvay, Professor of Violin at the Sibelius Academy, and Torleif Thedéen, Professor of Cello at the Royal College of Music in London and the Norwegian Academy of Music.

Diverse Learning Opportunities

In addition to individual lessons, students can participate in chamber music and improvisation workshops led by festival artists in collaboration with the students. For the first time, the courses also include lectures on instrument structure and maintenance, presented by concert tuner Matti Kyllönen and instrument and bow makers Elina Kaljunen and Armin Seebass.

International Participants

This year, 79 young musicians are attending the masterclasses, including 31 international students from countries such as Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, England, Estonia, France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Hong Kong, China, and the United States. Many participants return to Kuhmo year after year, and some have transitioned from students to performing artists over time.

Student Concerts

  • July 16 at 12:30 – Tuupala Primary School
  • July 17 at 12:30 – Tuupala Primary School
  • July 18 at 11:00 – Pajakka Hall, Kuhmo Arts Centre
  • July 23 at 12:30 – Tuupala Primary School
  • July 24 at 12:30 – Tuupala Primary School
  • July 25 at 11:00 – Pajakka Hall, Kuhmo Arts Centre (Final Concert)

Additionally, students participating in the workshops will perform in festival concerts:

  • July 18 at 12:30 – Tuupala Primary School
  • July 25 at 13:00 – Tuupala Primary School

Scholarship Award

A scholarship of €1000 from the Oleg Kagan Memorial Fund will be awarded to an exceptionally talented and accomplished instrumentalist or ensemble. The recipient will be announced during the final concert on July 25 at 11:00, and published on the masterclass website.

During the application phase, two scholarships of €250 each were also available. The recipients were Austrian-American violinist Lena Marie Stöger and Hong Kong violinist George Ng.

Support

The Kuhmo masterclasses are supported by the Arts Promotion Centre Finland and the City of Kuhmo.

Contact Information:
Elina Kettunen, Course Coordinator +358 44 586 1640
Junio Kimanen, Music Courses Artistic Director +358 50 563 8404