Altalena Junior Academy
Aspiring Musicians — ages 18 and under
16th - 21st August 2025
Colle di Val d'Elsa, Tuscany
Immerse yourself in music, creativity, and fun at the Altalena Junior Academy and Altalena Summer School, set in the stunning medieval town of Colle di Val d’Elsa. Whether you’re a passionate young musician or just beginning your artistic journey, our program offers an inspiring environment to learn, explore, and grow.
Altalena Junior Academy provides top-level music education in a welcoming, openminded environment. Curated by the musicians and visionaries of Altalena’s core team, the academy’s world-renowned professors and Altalena Ambassadors work intensively with the talented young participants.
Our academy nurtures the youngest generation of musicians with a holistic approach that blends exceptional musical education with a focus on well-being. Beyond specialised training, we introduce students to the importance of balance, sports, health, and joy in their musical journey. Through engaging activities, we provide essential tools to help them build a strong foundation—both on and off the stage—so they can thrive artistically and personally for years to come.
Our Teachers
Josephine Knight
MUNEKO OTANI
István Varga
Christopher Elton
Learn from professionals about the deeper aspects of a music career that go beyond technical skills—how to practice with true focus, develop physical and mental resilience, and build sustainable artistic habits. Gain insights into audition preparation and mindful practicing, as well as essential career skills like time management, networking, and entrepreneurship.
We believe that being a musician is more than performing difficult pieces in big concert halls. Mastering a craft builds us as individuals and teaches us other valuable skills, such as working together with others, staying disciplined, being aware of the way our bodies work and what they need in order to perform at a high level, whether in music or in other roles in the future.
Altalena Ambassador teachers
Our commitment to well-being
Our program is designed to offer top-level music education while emphasizing the importance of holistic well-being as the foundation of artistic development. We believe that true excellence in performance is built on deep, focused practice, the mental and psychological readiness, and physical well-being of the artist, not merely by playing and performing repeatedly.
While we offer opportunities for performances, the goal of the festival is to give musicians the tools for deep practice and personal growth. We aim to guide you through processes that involve significant off-stage work, where the focus is on mental conditioning, physical preparation, and psychological balance.
Our course provides an environment where students engage in holistic well-being practices, including wellness seminars, yoga, sports, and tools for long-term musical development and learn about mental and physical sustainability of a musical career from working professionals.
Active participation
What we offer:
For your musical development:
Four 60-Minute Lessons – One-on-one lessons on your chosen instrument
Singing Classes – Explore the joy of singing in a supportive and creative setting
Performance Classes – Supportive and informal gatherings where students can perform for each other, exchange ideas, and receive guidance from Altalena staff
Performance Opportunities – Take the stage in our concert series if you have a piece that you have been working on for a long time and feel ready to perform
Practice Time – Access up to 3 hours of practice daily
Certificate of Attendance – A special keepsake from the XII. Altalena Summer Academy & Music Festival
For Your Mind, Body & Soul
Creative Arts Activities – Express yourself through painting and drawing workshops inspired by the beauty of Tuscany
Fun & Effective Practice Exercises – Learn simple techniques to make practicing easier and more enjoyable every day
Morning Yoga with Barbara – Music-informed yoga tailored for young musicians
Sports & Physical Activities – Group movement sessions to support coordination and well-being
Cultural Excursions – Discover breathtaking locations, including:
• Diborrato Waterfall – Cool off in nature (bring your swimwear!).
• San Gimignano – Explore medieval streets and taste world-champion gelato.Plus Fun Extras!
• Themed Musical Games – Interactive activities that make learning even more exciting
• Outdoor Improvisation Session – Try new sounds and ideas in a relaxed setting
Due to legal and logistical considerations, we cannot accept participants under 14 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. All students ages 14 to 18 must have adult guardians at all times. If you are under 14 and believe you meet the required level, please contact barbara@altalena.eu to discuss special arrangements.
Package option
Information
What we offer:
- All above mentioned
- Stay at the Convento (centre of the masterclass) in very simple, student-home-like rooms (2-4 people/room), or at host families nearby
The academy reserves the right to allocate students according to availability
- Transfers to/from Poggibonsi/San Gimignano station
Timetable of transfers will be set by the academy on the 15th (arrival date) and on the 22nd (leaving date) of August
Application deadlines
1st April – Early bird applications
15th June – Regular applications
15th July – Late applications
Full amount of the course fee is due on your selected date above.
Get in touch: barbara@altalena.eu
PRICES
Active participation
Soloists
Early bird: 720 EUR / 1st March – 1st April
Regular: 800 EUR / 2nd April – 15th June
Late: 850 EUR / 16th June – 15th July
Registration fee: 100 EUR — to be paid when submitting the application form
Package option
Early bird: 950 EUR / 10th February – 10th May
Regular: 1000 EUR / 11th May – 15th June
Late: 1100 EUR / 16th June – 15th July
Registration fee / discounted: 70 EUR — to be paid when submitting the application form.
Our package options including accommodation are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. After receiving your application, we will inform you of the available options. However, we recommend checking with us in advance for the most up-to-date availability. (barbara@altalena.eu)
Optional scholarship funds will be available after the application deadline, and we will make every effort to support your participation. To be considered, please include a video link and your CV with your application.
Passive participation:
220 EUR / person
Be part of all activities offered by the summer academy
Listen to masterclasses… Come to our concerts… Join our classes and seminars
BANK DETAILS
Please transfer your registration fee together with your application to the following bank account:
Name of Bank:
MKB BANK Zrt.
Name of Organization:
MusicAli Nonprofit Kft
IBAN:
HU70 1030 0002 1065 7878 4882 0019
Payment reference: name and instrument, + ‘Altalena course donation’
If you request an invoice, please write to: barbara@altalena.eu
Regarding the course fee and payment due dates, please refer to application deadlines.
Accomodation For Participants
If you are not registering with the package option, you are responsible to book your own accommodation.
Colle di Val d’Elsa is built on a hill, with the Summer Academy activities taking place in Colle Alta, the upper part of the town.
If you are arranging your own accommodation, please ensure it is in a manageable location so you won’t be too exhausted from walking uphill in the heat.
If you apply with our package option, we will assist in arranging your accommodation.
Our recommendation:
EXTRAS for active AND passive participants
Music
- Extra instrumental solo lesson with Altalena Summer Academy professors: 120 EUR / person / 60’
- Improvisation classes (4) with Stefania Scapin and Angelo Petraglia 95 EUR / person.
- Extra instrumental solo lesson with Altalena Artists Collective musicians: 60 EUR /person / 60’
- Extra chamber music coaching with Altalena Summer Academy professors: 120 EUR / chamber group
Learning
- English or German language course: 150 EUR / 4 classes
- Both languages: 250 EUR / 3 classes in each language (6 all together)
Logistics
- Siena train station transfer single/return: 40-60 EUR / person
- Florence airport transfer single/return: 50-70 EUR / person
- Pisa airport transfer single/return: 70-90 EUR / person
The transfer schedule is determined by the Summer Academy and will likely
be arranged through a carpooling system.
Altalena Summer School
for beginners and non-professionals
16th – 21st August 2025
Colle di Val d’Elsa
learn with musicians of the Altalena Artist Collective
Calling the youngest generation to join our inspiring summer school to develop your musical skills, be part of our friendly community and discover the joy of making music in a fun and supportive environment!
From us to you: We are united by music and joined together to share our experiences, passion and values with the next generation. We wish to introduce you to the graduate music world and to connect you with all our involvement to your own, unique musical path.
Application deadline: 15th July
Alexandra Balog
Barbara Toth
Mihály Berecz
Stefania Scapin
Ariel Lanyi
Simone Pirri
Packages and prices:
- 4 solo lessons (30 mins) + 2 ensemble + 3 singing together : 320 EUR
- 2 solo lessons (30 mins) + 2 ensemble + 3 singing together : 250 EUR
- 2 ensemble classes (30 mins) + 3 singing together : 180 EUR
Any extra solo lessons with a member of the Altalena Artists Collective: 40 EUR / lesson (30 mins)
More Activities:
- Singing together with Simone Pirri, Barbara Toth, Rosalia Gutierrez
- Play on concerts if someone has a pieces ready
- Painting and drawing together at the convent and optional other activities
You can choose as many lessons as you want according to our availability.
Any extra lesson with summer academy professors (non-beginners only): 70 EUR (30 mins)
We have limited number of places available, so it is best to book in advance.
Please send an email to Barbara with your chosen package.
Any extra queries are welcome, we are flexible to make the best start for this project together in Colle 🇮🇹😍
Email to: barbara@altalena.eu
Campus Estivo 🇮🇹
16-21 agosto 2025
Colle di Val d’Elsa
impara con l’Altalena Artists Collective
Siamo uniti dalla musica e uniti per condividere le nostre esperienze, la nostra passione e i nostri valori con le generazioni a venire. Desideriamo introdurti al mondo della musica classica e accompagnarti con tutto il nostro coinvolgimento nel tuo personale percorso musicale
Scadenza per la presentazione delle domande: 15 luglio
Alexandra Balog
Barbara Toth
Mihály Berecz
Stefania Scapin
Ariel Lanyi
Simone Pirri
Prezzi:
4 lezioni da solista (30 min) + 2 ensemble + 3 cantare insieme: 320 EUR
2 lezioni da solista (30 min) + 2 ensemble + 3 cantare insieme: 250 EUR
2 lezioni d’ensemble (30 min) + 3 cantare insieme: 180 EUR
Eventuali lezioni da solista extra con un membro dell’Altalena Artists Collective: 40 EUR /
lezione (30 min)
Extra:
- Cantare insieme a Simone Pirri, Barbara Toth, Rosalia Gutierrez
- Suonare ai concerti se qualcuno ha dei pezzi pronti
- Dipingere e disegnare insieme e altre attività facoltative al Convento
Puoi scegliere quali e quante lezioni vuoi in base alla disponibilità
Qualsiasi lezione extra con i professori della Summer Academy (solo per non principianti):
70 EUR (30 min)
Abbiamo un numero limitato di posti disponibili, quindi è meglio prenotare in anticipo.
Invia un’e-mail a Barbara con il pacchetto scelto.
Qualsiasi domanda extra è benvenuta, siamo flessibili per iniziare al meglio questo
progetto insieme a Colle 🇮🇹😍
Invia un’e-mail a: barbara@altalena.eu
General Provisions
Photographs and Media Usage: By participating in our courses, both active and passive participants consent to the use of photographs for social media and our homepage, in compliance with applicable data protection and privacy laws.
- Fees: The registration fee is separate from the participation fee and must be paid in addition
- Liability: Participation in our courses is at the participant’s own risk
- Cancellations & Refunds: The registration fee is non-refundable in cases of non-participation. If the course is canceled or a participant is not admitted before June 25th, the course fee will be fully refunded. After June 25th, only 50% of the course fee can be refunded. In the event of force majeure, such as illness or other unforeseen circumstances beyond the participant’s control, please contact us, and we will make every effort to issue a full refund
- Travel Expenses: We do not reimburse travel or cancellation costs
- Changes to Terms: We reserve the right to modify the registration conditions and will inform participants of any changes on time
About the academy
Altalena Summer Academy provides top-level music education in a welcoming, openminded environment. Curated by the musicians and visionaries of Altalena’s core team, the Summer Academy’s world-renowned professors and artists work intensively with the talented participants in two age categories, 18 and under, and 18 to 35 years old.
The academy is dedicated to shaping the next generation of musicians through a holistic approach to their artistry. In addition to exceptional specialised education, we engage students in the importance of well-being, providing vital tools for sustaining good health. We believe that lasting success on-stage is built upon a healthy, balanced foundation off-stage.
Words of the ambassadors
We aim to inspire the next generation of musicians by engaging them in a community that fosters artistic growth, well-being, and collaboration.