12 April - Sixth Day of MECMA
The Middle East Classical Music Academy (MECMA), one of the region's most exciting platforms for emerging classical musicians, began on the 6th of April and will continue until the 21st of the month, delivering two weeks of intensive masterclasses, lectures, seminars, and virtually daily concerts. With a roster of globally renowned educators, soloists, and conductors, the school offers a unique chance for up-and-coming artists to learn, perform, and connect in a truly global environment - none other than the breathtaking surroundings of Dubai, UAE.
With the first week of MECMA 2025 winding down, Day 6 kept the energy high with a packed schedule filled with masterclasses, concerts, rehearsals, and valuable hands-on training for young musicians from all over the world held at Dubai's grand hotel, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and the stunning Two Seasons Hotel.
The day started at 9 am with orchestral masterclasses in full swing in the Sky Zayed Room on the 40th floor. Designed to develop technical precision and encourage musical collaboration among participants from different cultural and musical backgrounds, the lessons were conducted by professors Kuldzhanova Aijan and Raisa Musahadzhaeva, among others, including appearances by the Kurmangazy Symphony and MECMA Symphony.
Over on the 6th floor, it was a busy day for piano students as two familiar faces continued their one-on-one coaching sessions. Receiving direct feedback from two of the world's most established pianists, maestro Giuliano Mazzoccante (Italy) in Room 1, Dalia and celebrated pianist, conductor and music producer Albert Mamriev (Germany) in Room 2, Dania, worked one-on-one with select students throughout the day, helping them improve technique, performance style, and musical interpretation. This was followed by informative lectures by two pedagogues, the leading conductor of over thirty-five international orchestras in various theatres, concert halls and festivals in twenty different countries, Alan Chircop (Malta) and Keisuke Fujita (Japan), bass trombone player of Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Following a focused masterclass for tenor trombone players, Fujita commented, ''I enjoyed the opportunity to teach and hope that it is helpful for young musicians like me. I usually live in Japan and don't have many chances to talk to international students, so it was a great opportunity for me to express my musical ideas and convey specific images. My advice to students is that the most important thing is to enjoy playing an instrument and making music. I am young and still learning too, but I want up-and-coming musicians to remember to enjoy the music.''
Also adding to the day's highlights was MECMA's regular daytime concert series featuring The Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra, the acclaimed national ensemble of the Republic of Kazakhstan and MECMA's official Orchestra-in-Residence. The concert also included an internationally acclaimed violinist known for her extraordinary talent and numerous prestigious awards, Gyehee Kim, under the baton of Mikhail Kirchhoff, principal conductor of the Kaliningrad Music Theatre, Eurasian Stars festival and Ak Ertis festival. In a rare and exciting opportunity, top participants from the academy also joined the orchestra on stage, gaining real-world experience performing alongside renowned artists.
Misha Sahakyan, a MECMA participant from Armenia, shared his thoughts on the academy, saying, ''What I like most about this programme is that the information is presented in a way that allows you to absorb it without feeling pressured. This enables you to analyse the details effectively and make the most of what is offered. I believe this approach is a top priority,'' he continued, ''I would recommend MECMA to all my friends because it's a huge opportunity for young musicians to participate in masterclasses, attend spectacular concerts and learn a lot from renowned artists. I have been here for six days and have already gained so much important experience.''
As each day passes at the academy, students acquire more than just skills; they build confidence, create professional connections, and experience the true beauty of classical music by working alongside international classmates and world-class mentors. The second week of MECMA 2025 promises to deliver even more music, growth, and unforgettable experiences.
For regular updates about MECMA and its daily offerings, visit our official website for the latest news.
