17 April - Eleventh Day of MECMA
The Middle East Classical Music Academy (MECMA), held from the 6th to the 21st of April in the stunning setting of Dubai, UAE, is a ground-breaking initiative where young talent meets century-old traditions. The melodic affair offers emerging artists high-level performance training from some of the world’s finest musicians, teachers and creatives, helping them elevate their musical passions to unbelievable heights, all in two spectacular weeks.
On Thursday, 17 April 2025, as MECMA 2025 entered its eleventh day, the atmosphere was a mix of focus and anticipation. With only a few days remaining in the program, students and professors worked closely together to make the most of the final week.
The morning kicked off with a fresh round of orchestral masterclasses held in the Sky Zayed Room on the 40th floor, led by Raisa Musahadzhaeva and Batirdzhan Smakov. These sessions provided students and ensembles with the opportunity to study, practice, learn and interact individually and as a cohesive unit with artists who have a well-established international reputation, delving into the latest trends and interpretations in classical music. Soon after, these groups transferred to Zabeel Hall at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray for an exciting rehearsal and concert with the Kurmangazy Symphony.
Individual masterclasses continued in Room 1 Dalia, Room 2 Dania and Room 3 Sapphire, located on the 5th and 6th floor, tailored to various categories of instruments such as winds, pianos and strings, allowing participants to hone their skills through personalised instruction. These sessions were conducted by distinguished educators such as Luisa Sello (Italy), a renowned Flute Miyazawa Artist and an Ambassador of Music and Italian Culture; Cordelia Höfer-Teutsch (Austria), a professor for piano and chamber music at the University Mozarteum; and acclaimed Neapolitan violinist and winner of several international competitions, Riccardo Zamuner (Italy), exploring the latest trends and interpretations in classical music.
After leading an intensive lesson dedicated to the piano, Cordelia Höfer-Teutsch shared her thoughts on MECMA and its significance for young musicians, stating, ''It's an extremely important initiative, and I'm so happy that MECMA supports these young, very gifted human beings. When a young person possesses such talent but is not surrounded by people with similar interests, it can be a tragedy. Many gifted individuals can lose their way, getting lost either in drama or drugs, etc. Music connects them, allowing them to observe and learn from each other. They have a healthy internal competition, but it’s a positive experience because everyone has exceptional talents. If they are all supported in the same way, this is the best you can do for young people. This is very, very good work in this world.''
Expressing similar sentiments, an attendee noted, ''MECMA was challenging for sure, but it was very well organised, making everything so clear and easy to navigate. We had the opportunity to participate in a lot of lessons and also to study independently, in my case, with the silent piano. One of the greatest highlights was meeting musicians from all around the world and starting friendships, as well as my class with Maestro Höfer-Teutsch. It was incredibly inspiring as I performed in a duo with violin and piano, specifically working on the first movement of Franck's Sonata. Maestro Höfer-Teutsch is a remarkable person who offered us many new ideas and perspectives on this piece.''
A dazzling daytime concert featuring the renowned Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra, the leading musical group of the Republic of Kazakhstan and MECMA's Orchestra-in-Residence, also took place, showcasing the talents of special guests Sergei Dogadin, First Prize and Golden Medal winner at the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow; award-winning soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player, Máté Szűcs; and Sayyora Gafurova, Honored Artist of the Republic of Uzbekistan and professor, who serves as the vice-rector for science and innovation of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan. The concert was conducted by the celebrated Valid Ağayev, an Associate Professor at Çukurova State Conservatory. Exceptional academy students were also given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join these virtuosos on stage, helping prepare them for their future professional lives.
With just a few days remaining, the atmosphere at the spectacular Two Seasons Hotel and the luxurious Jumeirah Zabeel Saray in Dubai was highly productive as students continued to fine-tune their work and make the most of the opportunities MECMA has to offer.
For the latest updates about MECMA's daily events, visit our official website for more news.
