Chamber Music Academy
The First Steps in Chamber Music
Welcome to the Zephyr Academy. For more than twenty years, the Zephyr Music Festival has provided outstanding young artists with international and professional chamber music experience. Now, with the launch of Zephyr Academy, younger students (ages 13–17) have the chance to take their first steps toward high-level chamber musicianship in an inspiring international setting.
The Academy curriculum combines faculty-led rehearsals, masterclasses, two private lessons, and daily coaching, all designed to nurture both skill and artistry. The ten-day program culminates with a celebratory public performance.
The academy will be held in the beautiful and historic Palazzo Falletti di Barolo, one of Turin’s most elegant and historically significant palaces, located in the heart of the city’s old quarter. Built in the late 17th century, it is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and now serves as a cultural and educational center where history and artistry intertwine in a refined and inspiring setting.
Parent Information:
The Zephyr Academy offers a unique opportunity for both students and their families. While students experience world-class chamber music training, parents and siblings can enjoy a memorable Italian holiday in the beautiful and historic city of Turin.
Parents accompany their student to Italy and bring them to and from the school each day, a simple task in Turin, a city known for being safe, walkable, and easy to navigate with excellent public transportation. Parents are welcome to observe Academy activities as much or as little as they wish, making it easy to balance support for the student with time to explore the region.
Please plan to arrive in Turin by June 25; departure can be scheduled any time after July 6. The Zephyr Academy does not provide housing/hotel accommodation or meals though we can connect you with suitable accommodations (we don’t provide housing as each family’s size and needs are different). Turin has a large number of excellent Airbnb properties, vacation apartments, and hotels that are very affordable.
Student Expectations
Entrance Level
Piano: Applicants should generally be at the level of Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven sonatas.
Violin: Students should be able to play the first movement of a romantic concerto and Paganini Caprice, or equivalent.
Cello: Applicants should have performed works such as Saint-Saëns’s Allegro Appassionato or Haydn’s Concerto in C Major.
(For comparison: Suzuki Books 7–10, or Level 6 and above in the RCM curriculum.)
Once admitted, students are expected to prepare their assigned chamber music repertoire thoroughly in advance of the Academy. They should demonstrate maturity, punctuality, and respect in their collaborations with peers, faculty, and staff. The Zephyr Academy is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Audition Repertoire
Piano: Two contrasting solo works from different periods.
Violin: Two contrasting pieces, or movements, under 15 minutes total.
Viola: Two contrasting solo works from different periods.
Cello: Two contrasting solo works from different periods.
Additional Notes
Pianists will have access to school practice rooms during afternoon hours.
For cellists unable to bring an instrument, the Academy can arrange a rental for approximately $200 for the ten-day session.
Zephyr Chamber Music Academy:
June 26 - July 5 | Turin, Italy
March 1: Application Deadline
April 15: Registration Due
April 30: Tuition balance due
May 1: Repertoire selections will be finalized
June 26-July 5: Zephyr Chamber Academy
July 5: Final Concert