Conductors' Academy
The purpose of the Conductors’ Academy is to promote talented young conductors and to pass on knowledge and skills to the next generation.
Anyone aiming to be a successful young conductor will need an excellent education and a great deal of practical experience. The Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich’s Conductors’ Academy offers young talents precisely that.
Every year, six participants from all over the world are given the opportunity to learn from Music Director Paavo Järvi and his work with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich. They work intensively on their technical skills while also gaining insight into the management of a concert hall and orchestra. «With the Academy, we aim to exploit all potential and provide a unique training programme,» says Ilona Schmiel.
«As a musician and conductor, you gain a great deal of experience over the course of your career and build on what you have learned. It is important to me to pass on what I have learned. I was lucky to have great mentors – not only in my family. I therefore see it as my duty to pass this on to young people, to share my experience and to impart knowledge.»
Paavo Järvi
Winners of the Conductors' Academy
2023/24
Paavo Järvi's Scholarship: Julia Kurzydlak (Poland)
Audience Award: Julia Kurzydlak (Poland)
2022/23
Paavo Järvi's Scholarship: Mirian Khukhunaishvili (Georgia)
Audience Award: Mirian Khukhunaishvili (Georgia)
2021/22
Paavo Järvi's Scholarship: Aivis Greters (Latvia)
Audience Award: Zofia Kiniorska (Poland)
2020/21
Paavo Järvi's Scholarship: Martijn Dendievel (Belgium)
Audience Award: Laurent Zufferey (Switzerland)
Participants of the Conductors' Academy
2023/24
Jiaying Ding (China, 1994)
Rosina Flueckiger (Switzerland, 1995)
Xiaobo Hu (China, 1990)
Julia Kurzydlak (Poland, 2001)
Ian Niederhoffer (USA, 1996)
Richard Octaviano Kogima (Brazil, 1990)
2022/23
Jaehyuck Choi (South Korea, 1994)
Mirian Khukhunaishvili (Georgia, 1989)
Eleni Kotsmanidou (Greece, 1994)
Mauro Mariani (Switzerland / Italy, 1992)
Sasha Yankevych (Ukraine, 1991)
Agata Zając (Poland, 1995)
2021/22
Anthony Fournier (Switzerland, 1993)
Aivis Greters (Latvia, 1993)
Zofia Kiniorska (Poland, 1996)
Liubov Nosova (Russia, 1993)
Yerry Park (South Korea, 1995)
Janne Valkeajoki (Finland, 1992)
2020/21
Henri Christofer Aavik (Estonia, 1995)
Martijn Dendievel (Belgium, 1995)
Subin Kim (South Korea, 1992)
Charlotte Politi (Italy, 1990)
Teresa Riveiro Böhm (Austria, 1990)
Laurent Zufferey (Switzerland, 1993)
Conductors' Academy 2024/25
The fifth edition of the Conductors' Academy will take place from 26 to 28 May 2025. The young conductors will rehearse with the orchestra, receive technical and musical tips - and if they are lucky, a prize: after the final concert, the audience will vote for the winner of the Audience Award. And Paavo Järvi has an invitation to his Pärnu Music Festival.
The masterclasses and the final concert will be streamed live.
More info
Applications
Young conducting talents can apply from January 2025 for the Conductors' Academy in May 2025. More information will follow.
News
You can find all the news about the Conductors' Academy and the recordings here.
Supported by the Freundeskreis Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich - exclusive project partner
Board and lodging for the academy members supported by Ruth Burkhalter
Conductors' Academy: Masterclass
Conductors' Academy: Masterclass
Conductors' Academy: Masterclass
