Jillian Burgam, conducting student, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed my time, and the experience as a whole. Now that I have been back to my different conducting positions, I have had opportunities to start applying the work that we did together.
With time, I’ve been able to more fully process everything I learned. Not only did you help me build my confidence, but also my ability to adapt to a new environment. Each day, I felt that I was learning as much as I could learn in a week or a month in graduate school. I am so appreciative of the amount of podium time we were given as it allowed us to really learn from our mistakes and make adjustments in real time.
Thank you for all of your work putting together this Academy and this excellent learning experience, and thank you for all of your time and dedication to helping all of us improve each day. I really appreciated your focus on the interplay of instruments and your reminders for us to constantly listen for balance. I was also thankful for your graciousness with us as we made mistakes! It felt like a safe environment in which to grow and improve.
Now that I am back in the swing of things with school and my community/professional choirs, I feel that I am conducting with more awareness of my body. I am conducting with more clarity in my gesture and am able to better focus on the balance and the harmonic foundation of things rather than just trying to keep the melody going. Again, I also just feel much more confident in my abilities as a leader/conductor/musician which has helped me in myriad ways throughout the preparation and rehearsal process.
Joseph Rossetti, pianist, USA
I would like to express my gratitude & significant performance in Bulgaria, which was pleasurable & very impressive as well. The orchestra was quite professional & friendly, as well as being helpful with respect to rehearsals & good musicians. The city of Vidin might be smaller compared to other cities in Bulgaria, but nevertheless has a whole lot of history and architecture to express and show. Lastly, the director, musicians, and staff were wonderful. Maestro Ovidiu Marinescu was quite an asset to the whole program for his finesse and refinement in conducting, managing, and working individually with each musician. I am very grateful to have been part of this program.
David Brown, Composer/Violinist, United States
“2018’s IMA in Vidin, Bulgaria, was an incredible opportunity for music making and networking with world-class artists, rising professionals, and talented students alike. Artistic Director Ovidiu Marinescu worked tirelessly and selflessly to ensure the quality of the festival, tailored to each participant’s interest and background. These are experiences of which lifelong memories are made, and great careers and music are inspired.”
Tudor Cioceanu, Pianist – Romania, Maastricht Conservatory (The Netherlands)
“IMA 2018 – Two weeks full of great and intense music experiences and a lot of fun time. I can definitely say that this journey marks my best moments in a classical music festival.”
Ceara Caisido, Cellist – USA
“The International Musicians Academy 2018 was an inspired two weeks of learning! I never thought I would get the chance to be a soloist with an orchestra, so to be provided with such a wonderful opportunity from such hard-working and intelligent faculty was an incredible experience.”
Kaitlin Booth
“The festival was exciting, inspiring, and wonderful in many ways.”
Ovidiu Marinescu, Artistic Director
The “International Musicians Academy” serves as an extraordinary springboard for future opportunities, giving soloists, young conductors and composers the experience and determination to develop their career and further pursue their dreams.
Rober Gutter, renowned conducting pedagogue (1938-2017)
“The level of musicianship is exceptional in Bulgaria.”
Miroslav Krastev, Artistic Director – Sinfonietta Vidin
“As an essential part of the cultural life of Vidin, the International Musicians Academy contributes to strengthening and enriching the musical art in our town. The work of our orchestra with the students is exciting and inspiring, and their concerts are eagerly awaited by the Vidin audience.”