Middle East Classical Music Academy
In April 2025, the Middle East Classical Music Academy (MECMA) will be returning to Dubai, UAE to celebrate its fourth edition. Following three universally-acclaimed entries, this latest milestone in the Academy’s short yet rich history looks to build on these foundations to create a unique experience for talented young artists coming together from all over the world.
Taking place from the 6th to the 21st of April, MECMA 2025 promises to be the grandest and most ambitious iteration of this academy yet, offering not only masterclasses for youth orchestras, thereby providing them with an unrivalled opportunity to study, practice, and grow together both as a group and also in their respective sections, but also courses for choral ensembles.
Moreover, throughout its two-week duration, the Academy shall also feature a series of individual masterclasses in different categories, including violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, and others. Each of these courses are set to be led by a host of internationally-acclaimed pedagogues and professors alongside leaders of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Franz Schubert Filharmonia (Spain).
In addition to the courses themselves, the best students shall also be able to benefit from a special daytime concert series that will be organised under the auspices of MECMA 2025 and hosted in Dubai’s finest venues. Headlined by some of the biggest soloists of our time, the Middle East Classical Music Orchestra will give several performances inviting MECMA’s young stars onto the stage.
As part of their programme, all participants will also be eligible to attend the 14th edition of the world-renowned InClassica International Music Festival, thereby gaining a unique glimpse into the world of professional music performance. Globally hailed as one of the world’s foremost classical music festivals, InClassica will be bringing the biggest stars of our time to Dubai Opera, with a two-week spectacle of musical excellence featuring a total of 16 concerts, 2 international orchestras, and no fewer than 5 acclaimed conductors and 13 award-winning soloists. These include amongst them such celebrated artists as violinists Gil Shaham (USA), Maxim Vengerov (Monaco), and Daniel Lozakovich (Sweden), pianists Mikhail Pletnev (Switzerland) and Behzod Abduraimov (Uzbekistan), French cellists Gautier Capuçon and Edgar Moreau, and many more!
Upon successful completion of the course, attendees will receive a diploma of graduation, while also departing Dubai with a plethora of unforgettable experiences, newfound friendships from across the international community, and invaluable insights into the diverse musical traditions and practices of their peers, preparing them for successful careers in the world of classical music.
