A total of 130 young musicians from 28 countries are taking part in the Järvi Academy, the educational programme of the Pärnu Music Festival, one of the leading classical
music events in the region. The number of participants from Estonia remains consistent with previous years.
The Academy is currently preparing for its final concert on 15 July. Rehearsals regularly feature members of the Järvi conducting dynasty working closely with the participants.
“The opportunity to study with world-renowned conductors Neeme Järvi, Paavo Järvi, Kristjan Järvi, and Leonid Grin, who was Paavo Järvi’s teacher, has made our conducting
masterclasses a destination for young conductors from around the world. Regardless of where they come from, ambitious young conductors increasingly see Pärnu as an
important stepping stone in building an international career,” said Kristjan Hallik, Executive Director of the Pärnu Music Festival.
According to Hallik, international interest in the Academy’s string, wind and percussion masterclasses has also continued to grow. “This is the result of our consistent efforts to bring distinguished professors from leading music academies to Pärnu every year. This summer, the faculty includes Kristine Balanas, Mark Gothoni, Michael Foyle, Lilli Maijala, Jan Ickert, Olivier Thiery and several other internationally acclaimed musicians. They work closely with the participants, helping them refine both their instrumental technique and their artistic expression,” Hallik said.
Supporting young Estonian musicians remains one of the Academy’s core missions. “Estonia’s leading music schools and conservatories are once again represented by many
of their most talented students, helping us maintain a healthy balance between local and international participants. This year, 75 of the Academy’s 130 participants come from
abroad, while 55 are from Estonia. It is an ideal balance: Estonian students can learn in a familiar environment while benefiting from the international atmosphere and
networking opportunities that the Pärnu Music Festival offers,” Hallik added.
The Järvi family has always regarded the development of young Estonian musicians as one of its most important priorities. This commitment led to the creation of the Järvi
Academy masterclasses, which have grown alongside the Pärnu Music Festival into one of its defining educational initiatives.
Järvi Academy 2026 at a Glance
– 130 participants
– 110 instrumentalists (strings, winds and percussion)
– 20 conducting students
– Participants from 28 countries: Estonia, Latvia, Germany, France, Switzerland, Armenia, Türkiye, Poland, Austria, the Netherlands, Finland, the United States, China, Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Israel, Greece, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Singapore, Slovenia, Denmark and Hungary.
