Join us in Bassano del Grappa for an immersive artistic journey in the heart of Veneto — where music, culture, and collaboration converge. The VAMS Performance Academy welcomes performers from around the world for a focused program combining high-level music-making, faculty mentorship, and cultural exploration.


A Focused, High-Impact Program

VAMS offers a shorter, concentrated structure compared to many summer programs. Participants receive all repertoire at least one month in advance and are expected to arrive prepared, allowing rehearsals, coachings, and concerts to begin immediately at a high artistic level.

Preparation matters — but we do not require elite performers.
We welcome motivated musicians from a range of backgrounds who are excited to learn, collaborate, and grow in a supportive international environment.


Faculty Collaboration

Performers will work under the mentorship of distinguished VAMS faculty and guest artists, including members of the Quartetto Nôus, our Conducting Faculty, Sophie Till and the Till Project faculty, and distinguished performers Michael Kaufman and Lauren Hodges. The program emphasizes direct collaboration between performers, conductors, and composers, fostering a shared creative environment that reflects professional artistic practice.


Artistic Opportunities

Performers take part in:

• Orchestral concerts in Bassano del Grappa and Venice

• Faculty-coached chamber music projects

• Collaborations with composers and conductors

• A mix of classical and contemporary repertoire

Each participant receives two private lessons, works closely with Till Project faculty on sustainable musicianship, and joins sessions on music business, career planning, and professional development.


Italian String Heritage

The Veneto region — birthplace of Vivaldi and central to the evolution of Italian string making — offers centuries of artistry and craftsmanship. VAMS embraces this living tradition not as nostalgia, but as inspiration for shaping the future of performance. Musicians experience this heritage directly through the landscape, the architecture, and the artistic culture surrounding every rehearsal and concert.


Cultural Experience

Participants explore Bassano del Grappa, Asolo, Possagno, and Venice — including a special visit to the Gypsotheca Antonio Canova — connecting performance with the artistic legacy of the region.


The Till Project Collaboration

As part of the VAMS Performance Academy, participants will engage with sessions led by faculty from The Till Project, an internationally recognized initiative devoted to healthy, sustainable musicianship. Through workshops and individualized instruction, players learn the principles of the Till Approach — a method that aligns natural physical movement with musical expression, fostering technical precision, injury prevention, and artistic freedom.


Why Join the VAMS Performance Academy

VA beautiful setting, world-class faculty, focused preparation, and inspiring performances — VAMS offers an efficient, artistically rich experience. Performers leave with refined skills, new repertoire, and meaningful international connections.


VAMS Performance Academy Faculty: