Meet the Maestros: The Special Guests of MECMA 2025
The special guests of the Middle East Classical Music Academy (MECMA) have officially been announced! Following the resounding success of its past editions, the academy promises to be a dazzling two-week affair, empowering young artists from around the world and encouraging a community spirit through the magic of classical music.
Making a grand return to Dubai, UAE, for its fourth edition, the Middle East Classical Music Academy is scheduled to take place from the 6th to the 21st of April, offering world-class individual masterclasses in various categories, including violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, among many others. Additionally, it will feature masterclasses for youth orchestras as well, along with courses for choral ensembles. These lessons will be led by an ensemble of renowned educators and professors, treating up-and-coming talent from all around the globe to a ground-breaking and highly informative academic and cultural experience. As part of their programme, all participants will also be eligible to attend the highly-anticipated 14th edition of the InClassica International Music Festival, a two-week celebration of musical excellence bringing some of classical music's biggest stars to Dubai Opera.
In addition to the array of professors scheduled to present masterclasses at MECMA, there will be a selection of special guests, i.e., highly esteemed professionals, who will deliver a limited number of lectures with restricted participation spaces available. Furthermore, since these guests are particularly distinguished, the general public is also welcome to attend their masterclasses, allowing everyone an opportunity to learn in person from legendary maestros. These special guests include:
Alan Chircop: A distinguished Maltese conductor, Chircop has a highly diverse repertoire that includes an extensive range of symphonic and concerto pieces. He has directed several opera productions, contemporary music premieres, and various other genres. Over the past 25 years, he has conducted over thirty-five international orchestras in multiple theatres, concert halls and festivals in 20 different countries. Among his notable engagements, Chircop has conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall and Westminster Central Hall in London, the London Concert Orchestra, the Sofia Philharmonic – National Orchestra of Bulgaria, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Macedonia, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, L’Orchestra Citta’ di Ravenna and L’Orchestra Sinfonica Duchi d’Acquaviva (Italy).
Giuliano Mazzoccante: Master pianist Mazzoccante has won more than 50 national and international competitions, including “M. Clementi” in Florence, “Agorà 80″ in Rome, “F. Liszt” in Lucca, and “Città di Stresa”, which he was awarded in prestigious competitions such as “International Music Tournament”, “Prix Venice”, “Ecomusic”, among others. Acting as a major soloist and chamber musician at prominent international venues across Europe, the USA and Asia, he is regularly invited to present concerts and masterclasses at acclaimed venues and festivals such as “Mozarteum” in Salzburg, “ClaviCologne Festival” in Germany, “Malta International Music Festival”, etc. He has performed as a soloist with orchestras such as Camerata Baltica, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonica di Bari, and Solisti Aquilani, as well as plays with prestigious musicians such as Karl Leister, Francesco Manara and Fabrizio Meloni.
For the latest information about the thrilling world of MECMA and details on more special guests, visit our official website for the latest updates.
