Flute
studied with Paul Meisen in Munich, Jeanne Baxtresser in New York and Jean-Claude Gérard in Stuttgart. She played as a scholarship holder of the Münchner Orchesterakademie in the Symphony Orchestra of Bayrischer Rundfunk and in the Orchestra of the Bayerische Staatsoper. From 1998 she was principal flute of the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen for almost 20 years. Björn-Jansen is a founding member of the Diamant Ensemble Copenhagen and was a longtime member of the Danish Radio Wind Quintet. In 2013, she was awarded the Order of Dannebrog by the Queen of Denmark for her artistic work and commitment to Danish cultural life.
Anna Dina Björn-Larsen works at the academy from August 23rd to September 1st 2023.
Violin
studied in Berlin with Werner Scholz and in St. Petersburg with Michael Waiman. Since 1963 he teaches chamber music at the University of Music Hanns Eisler Berlin. Additionally, he has an excellent reputation as a teacher for masterclasses in Europe and in the USA. He was longtime mentor of string quartets like Vogler, Kuss, Faust, Atrium, Calder, Ebène and soloists like the cellist Nicolas Altstaedt.
Eberhard Feltz works at the academy from August 23rd to September 4th 2023.
Violin
is the leader and founding member of the Armida Quartet, which has established itself as one of the most successful young quartets in the world by winning the Concours de Genève in 2011 and the ARD International Music Competition in 2012, where the ensemble was awarded First Prize, the Audience Prize, and six other special prizes. Since October 2018, Funda has been professor of chamber music at the University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart. Previously, he taught at the University of the Arts Berlin and at the Franz Liszt University of Music Weimar.
Martin Funda works at the academy from August 23rd to September 10th 2023.
Cello
studied with Susanne Müller-Hornbach, Andreas Greger, Michael Sanderling and Joseph Schwab. In 2002 he founded the Chagall Quartet Berlin, which won prizes at international competitions and has performed at international festivals such as the Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the Mozartfest Würzburg and the Rheingau Music Festival. 2008-2018 Jan Ickert was artistic director and lecturer for Cello at the Emanuel Feuermann Conservatory of Kronberg Academy. Since 2017 he is professor of cello at the University of Music in Frankfurt.
Jan Ickert works at the academy from September 1st to 10th 2023.
Clarinet
studied at the University of Music in Detmold with Jost Michaels and Hans Klaus. He was solo clarinetist in the radio-symphony-orchestra in Frankfurt and in the Staatsorchester Stuttgart. From 1995-1998 he studied conducting at the University of Music in Weimar. He worked as a conductor at the Staatsoper Stuttgart and worked with the youth orchestra of Thüringen. Since 1999 he is professor for clarinet at the University of Music in Stuttgart. He is juror in international competitions.
Norbert Kaiser works at the academy from September 1st to 10th 2023.
is a Flute player, orchestra musician, music pedagogue and teacher of the F.M. Alexander Technique was born in Dublin, Ireland and studied at the Royal College of Music London and at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg with Aurèle Nicolet. After many years of orchestral work, he completed a three-year training course as a teacher of the Alexander Technique. Since 1994 he has successfully taught the Alexander Technique at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt, in private practice and at music seminars in Germany and abroad. Since 2008 he has been professor for Life-Skills at Kronberg Academy.
Valentin Keogh works at the academy from August 30th to September 7th 2023.
Piano
studied with Prof. Steurer and at the University of Music in Munich with Prof. Schilde. With a fellowship she studied at the Indiana University in Bloomington with Prof. Hokanson. She is prizewinner of several international competitions and played concerts all over the world. Since 2003 she is professor at the University of Music in Frankfurt, teacher at the foundation Villa Musica and since 2014 Artistic Director of the “Festeburgkonzerte”.
Angelika Merkle works at the academy from August 23rd to September 10th 2023 and is the artistic director of the course.
Piano
is the pianist of the Fauré Quartet. He studied with André Boainain and Lev Natochenny and had concerts as a soloist i.a. with the Philharmonic Orchestra Hamburg and the MDR Symphony Orchestra. After teaching activities at the University of Music Karlsruhe, the Folkwang University of Arts Essen and the University of Music Nuremberg, he started being professor for chamber music at the University of Music and Theatre Munich in 2015. Until now he has concerts with the well known Fauré Quartet.
Dirk Mommertz works at the academy from August 23rd to September 4th 2023.
Musicology
studied composition/electronic composition, music theory and musicology at the University of Music Essen. At the University of Music in Frankfurt, he received his doctorate in musicology with a thesis on Jacques Offenbach's compositional technique. His studies focus on chamber music, opera in the 19th century, and music of the 20th century. His compositional work includes solo, ensemble, orchestral and choral pieces as well as numerous Lieder. The starting point of his pieces is often the study of literary texts and of works by other composers.
Anatol Riemer works at the academy from September 4th to 10th 2023.
Note: Vineta Sareika unfortunately cannot teach at the Academy as planned. We are happy to announce that Martin Funda will be with us for the entire duration of the course instead!
The academy stands for a philosophy that is rarely found these days. Whilst people aim for more and more in less time, the academy focuses on detailed and intense work. Over three weeks the participants get the chance to concentrate on what really is important: To truly dive into the music.
The academy gives the opportunity to focus for three weeks on intense chamber music work. Numerous internationally renowned lecturers work on a daily base with the participants and give support during the whole course. The infrastructure at the monastery with various rooms to rehearse and practice make sure the participants have all they need to improve.
Settled in a beautiful monastery in the countryside the participants enjoy an ideal working atmosphere. The historical ambience invites to slow down and gives space for joint activities. The course is highly recommended as a preparation for competitions, gives the best opportunities to work on new repertoire and helps ensembles create their own musical identity.
Two months before the academy begins the participants' preferred repertoire is confirmed and, if necessary, additional suggestions are added by the artistic advisory board. The chamber music work in the academy starts immediately which is why the pieces have to be well prepared. Each participant has on average 1-3 classes per day with different pieces. The schedule is coordinated daily with the lecturers and will be published in the evening for the next day.
There will be several concerts during the academy. The academy starts traditionally with an Opening Concert in the chapel of the monastery. Furthermore participants get the chance to present their works in workshop concerts, a concert in the Theater Oldenburg, festival concerts and many more.