Classeek Ambassador Programme Announces 2023/24 Participants

The Swiss organization has selected eight emerging artists for its tailored one-year career enhancement program

Classeek was founded in Switzerland to provide innovative solutions to artists through new technologies and industry knowledge. Its Classeek Ambassador Programme created in 2017, helps to support and promote emerging musicians through a one-year career enhancement initiative.

Open to instrumentalists and composers aged between 18 to 30, the program’s applicants are nominated by Classeek Ambassadors, including Gautier and Renaud Capuçon, Emmanuel Pahud, Sir András Schiff, Michel Bérof, and Miguel da Silva.

Additionally, two spaces are open to artists from around the world — one reserved for instrumentalists, and for the first time, one space was open to composers.

The 2023/24 Classeek Ambassador Programme artists are:

- Violinist Dmitry Smirnov (Russia) | Ambassador: Sonia Simmenauer

- Cellist Madelyn Kowalski (USA) | Ambassador: Steven Issserlis

- Violist Sào Soulez Larivière (France/Netherlands) | Ambassador: Miguel da Silva

- Trio Pantoum | Ambassador: Miguel da Silva

- Pianists Martina Consonni (Italy) and Tomoki Park (Japan) | Ambassador: Andràs Schiff 

- Violinist Clarissa Bevilacqua (Italy/USA) | Open Application

- Composer Elise Bertrand (France) | Open Application

Throughout the tailored initiative, these artists will be involved in professional photoshoots, video interviews, career and media coaching, masterclass teaching, concert opportunities, and playing with fellow program artists.

The artists will also perform an internationally streamed high-quality concert, which will also involve a cocktail evening, where they can network and pitch their projects to a selected audience.

“Being part of the Classeek program over the past year has been the perfect support for me, particularly, in this transition period of my professional journey,” violinist Bilal Alnemr told The Violin Channel in an interview. “I have lived an uncommon path, and the attention and trust that Classeek has offered me could not be more valued.

“The communication with people who understand and care about an artist’s needs is what I have enjoyed most about this program. I had been coached by [Classeek Ambassador] Sonia Simmenauer for the last year, and it helped me understand how to be centered in a chaotic and fast-paced world full of stimuli and stress.”

Now available to watch on The Violin Channel are two recitals by Classeek Artists violinist Bilal Alnemr and pianist Julia Hamos.

In addition to collaborating with internationally-renowned artists and classical music entrepreneurs, Classeek holds partnerships with the Conservatoire de Lausanne, International Classical Music Awards, Bucharest Symphony Orchestra, and MusiKa.