10 April - Fourth Day of MECMA
Returning to Dubai for its fourth and most ambitious edition yet, the highly-anticipated Middle East Classical Music Academy (MECMA) started on the 6th of April and will run until the 21st of the month, offering world-class masterclasses for individuals and youth orchestras, as well as courses for choral ensembles. At this two-week-long musical event, students receive instruction from a host of distinguished professors and have the opportunity to witness renowned musicians during a special daytime concert series.
On Thursday, 10th April 2025, day four of MECMA delved deeper into the art of classical music with a series of intensive masterclasses across various instruments at Dubai's palatial hotel, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the Two Seasons Hotel and the stunning Dubai Opera. Notably, orchestral masterclasses which took place from 9 am to 5 pm in the Sky Zayed Room on the 40th floor featuring esteemed professors Yana Kasiyan, Kuldzhanova Aijan, Batirdzhan Smakov, and Raisa Musahadzhaeva, among others. Additionally, the MEСMA International Youth Competition of String Instruments took place in the Emerald Room on the 5th floor from 9 am to 6 pm.
Another highlight of the day was the sequence of individual masterclasses that took place, covering every corner of the classical music landscape, focusing on instruments such as piano, trumpet, flute, clarinet and more. These sessions were led by some of the leading pedagogues of our time, such as Pablo Galdo (Spain), one of the most sought-after concert pianists of his generation; celebrated pianist, conductor and music producer Albert Mamriev (Germany); leading conductor Alan Chircop (Malta); Principal Trumpets of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra Shuichi Kawata (Japan) and Ryo Noda (Japan); Jasmine Choi (South Korea); and first solo clarinet chair of the Orchestra and the Philharmonic of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Fabrizio Meloni (Italy).
Selected as one of the best flautists in the history of music by Sinfini Magazine UK in 2015, Jasmine Choi spoke in detail about her experience teaching at MECMA, stating, ''I had a great time working with two students from Armenia. Their skill level is so high, and I was so glad they responded so well and quickly to adopt many new things,'' she continued, ''During the masterclass, I started by addressing postures to help participants create better sounds. Then, we talked about how to interpret the works of certain composers, such as Telemann, from the Baroque period. We cannot interpret Baroque composers in the same way that we approach living composers, so I aimed to outline different strategies for approaching them. And also, we talked about how to sing better and how to relax your posture.''
Students responded well to all the various masterclasses, with many expressing their happiness about participating at MECMA.
''I have recommended MECMA to everyone I know because this festival is truly fantastic. I saw a lot of professional musicians during its short course, I even had the chance to see my idols; it is not every day you encounter legends like Maxim Vengerov, Roman Kam, Giuseppe Giubboni, and other great musicians! I really love this festival.'' -Kamila Krupaeva, Kazakhstan.
''MECMA is more than just an Academy; it serves as a platform for cultural exchange and provides a valuable experience for young artists. It's a good opportunity for young artists such as myself to attend concerts featuring distinguished artists and participate in masterclasses with highly sought-after musicians worldwide. I highly recommend MECMA to everyone who wants to become a superstar in the future, s it provides a great foundation to start your career and immerse yourself in the art of music.'' -Ali Khan, Kazakhstan.
''One of the best things about this programme is the opportunity to visit the InClassica International Music Festival. It allows us to listen to some of the world’s greatest musicians, watch them perform, and experience the emotions they convey through their music. It's really important for us young musicians to listen to the greats of classical music.'' - Alessia, Kazakhstan.
Additionally, a daytime concert also took place, featuring the outstanding leading musical group of the Republic of Kazakhstan and MECMA's Orchestra-in-Residence, The Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra. The musical event showcased the talents of soloist Nurie Chung, grand prize winner of the 2016 Euroasia Young Violin competition in Japan and Aiman Mussakhajayeva, Rector of the Kazakh National University of Arts, under the baton of Mikhail Kirchhoff, principal conductor of the Kaliningrad Music Theatre, Eurasian Stars festival and Ak Ertis festival. Standout academy students were also given the unique opportunity to join these international virtuosos in live performances on stage.
With many more masterclasses, rehearsals, and concerts still to come, MECMA 2025 continues to offer a unique mix of education and inspiration.
For the latest information about the exhilarating world of MECMA, visit our official website for the latest updates.
