Middle East Classical Music Academy to Open in Dubai

The initiative, which will run from September 14 — 23, is to be the largest of its kind in the United Arab Emirates

The European Foundation for Support of Culture (EUFSC) has launched a new three-week music academy, to take place in Dubai. The Foundation describes the venture as a first in its region, and will be the largest classical music festival in the United Arab Emirates.

At this year's Middle East Classical Music Academy (MECMA), students will be able to perform in masterclasses with noted teachers from all over the world, such as Rudolf Buchbinder, Dmitri Alexeev, Stella Chen, Daniel Hope, Pavel Vernikov, among others.

Additionally, the festival will host daily lunchtime concerts in which high-profile soloists will perform with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and the Kaliningrad Symphony Orchestra.

The EUFSC's InClassica International Music Festival is taking place concurrently with the Academy, and students will be able to attend many of the festival's performances for free.

Based in Malta, the EUFSC aims to support cultural activities across the globe, especially classical music. Thus far, it has hosted a number of concerts, festivals, masterclasses, and lectures in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

"It gives me great pleasure to bring such an exciting and high quality programme of tuition and performance to the Middle East, and we are particularly thrilled to present our ambitious programme here in Dubai," said Konstantin Ishkhanov, the President of the EUFSC. "This Academy represents the pinnacle of the EUFSC’s educational efforts, and I am very pleased to welcome such an illustrious group of professors to this event."