Sommerakademie Cervo
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GermanEnglishItalian

XXXVI International Summer Academy Cervo

1.9.2026 - 12.9.2026

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In the past 36 years always in September Cervo has developed into a meeting place for young musicians from all over the world with lecturers of international status. Therefore the summer academy of Cervo can look back at a rich and exciting history.

With pleasure we can see again and again that graduates of the academy prove themselves as soloists in the hard competition of concert life or gain leading positions as professors at universities and concertmasters or soloists in important orchestras.

The incomparable atmosphere of the old part of Cervo has always fascinated the students and contributed to the creation of a spirit of friendship and teamwork that in two weeks often created exceptional performances. A big "Cervo music family" has developed, that lives together here, making wonderful music and also includes the competent and interested audience.

We thank the community of Cervo, the district of Imperia and the region Liguria for their long standing cooperation. At the same time we say thanks to everyone, who has filled with their collaboration the academy with life and substance, first of all my wife Elfe von Arnim, who died in 2004 and who was the heart and soul of the academy for a long time. Without her tireless effort during the first years the academy would not exist today.

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Arnulf von Arnim

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Music for romantic window blinds. Music, which connects itself with the Italian summer. That is Cervo.

I warmly support the idea to offer young musicians a forum, which enables them to experience a meeting of different cultures and musical ideas, through learning, performing and living together.

I therefore hope that the Summeracademy Cervo will remain the meeting ground for young european musicians in the future, and that the Academy concerts from the festival participants will form a link between the Liguria region and young musicians from Europe and the rest of the world.

Dr. h.c. Annemarie Renger 1919-2008 Parliamentary speaker a.D. - Bonn

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I hereby warmly welcome the organization, the teachers and the young musicians of the International Summeracademy to Cervo.

With enthusiasm I welcome the return of the talents, that each year allow the small city of Cervo to be distinguished as "music village", to a place where the music finds it's way through the Ligurian alleys and squares and makes Cervo an omitted and enchanted town.

The summer academy is an ideal extension of the chamber music festival, joining the international successes of different nationalities, cultures, languages, professional and human experiences, which enrich our everyday life.

So a lot of thanks to all the teachers, the young talents, to Cervo, which offers facilities for the concerts, and thus supports the chance for musicians and people to enjoy the inspirations of friendships and meetings of different cultures.

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Lina Cha Mayor

Serafino Appartamenti - Ristorante - Bar Via Matteotti 8 +39 0183 408185 +39 333 151 78 41 www.ristoranteserafino.itinfo@ristoranteserafino.it

Masterclasses 2026

Erika Geldsetzer

Violin and chamber music

Aleksey Semenenko

Violin

Ingolf Turban

Violin

Jean Sulem

Viola and chamber music

Gustav Rivinius

Violoncello

Troels Svane

Violoncello

Arnulf von Arnim

Piano

Ian Fountain

Piano
Chi Ho Han IMG

Chi Ho Han

Piano

Feldenkrais for Musicians

Musicians about Feldenkrais

"The Feldenkrais exercises are so ingenious and so simple." Yehudi Menuhin

"Heike Schmidt's empathetic ability to adapt the Feldenkrais method individually to each personality has absolutely convinced me of the results! In no time at all, tensions, blockages and fears dissolved, which immediately had a very positive effect on openness during lessons. I would like to recommend her wholeheartedly and without reservation!" Ingolf Turban

"Through observations and stories about Heike Schmidt's Feldenkrais treatments, I became aware of and curious to experience this approach myself. The gentle yet precise treatment has opened up a noticeably new awareness of my own body. I was able to better recognize the complaints that had developed through overexertion and habits, and deal with them accordingly in practice." Tomoko Sawallisch

Using the Feldenkrais Method, musicians can overcome professional challenges such as long periods of intense concentration under high performance pressure, asymmetrical playing postures, stage fright, and more. The experiences gained in Feldenkrais lessons can be directly applied to musical performance.

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Offer during the Summer Academy Cervo

Daily Feldenkrais group session "Awareness through Movement" € 110

Daily Feldenkrais group session "Awareness through Movement" + one individual session (also available with instrument) € 160

Individual Feldenkrais session (also available with instrument) € 65

Further information about the instructor Heike Schmidt and the Feldenkrais Method: www.feldenkrais-schoeneberg.de

Heike Schmidt

Frequently Asked Questions

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The courses are open to music students as well as professional musicians. Passive participation as an auditor is also possible.

No, neither an audition nor recordings are required. Participants are selected by the professors based on the information provided in the application form (current teacher, repertoire, etc.). In rare exceptional cases, active participation may not be possible. However, we always try to find an individual solution. After the application deadline, all applicants will be informed about participation as soon as possible.

No confirmation is sent upon receipt of payment. If we do not receive your payment by the stated deadline, we will contact you with a reminder.

No, solo parts are voluntary. The selection of soloists takes place during the course through an internal audition.

No, the meals will be prepared by the students in their apartments. Supermarkets and restaurants are within walking distance.

- Registration fee: € 60 (non-refundable) - Active participation fee: € 430 / passive participation: € 160 - Chamber music: one course fee plus the corresponding number of registration fees depending on group size - Accommodation: € 380 (payment details will follow). -> Meals are not included in the price. Participants are responsible for their own meals in the apartments.

Application deadline: June 30 Notification of active participation: from the second week of July Payment of the course fee: by July 31 at the latest

The registration fee must be transferred upon registration, the course fee by July 31 at the latest. Payment is possible only via bank transfer – online payment services such as PayPal or Venmo cannot be accepted. In case of cancellation by the participant, the registration fee is non-refundable. A partial refund of the course fee may be possible depending on the date of cancellation.

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Please make sure to include the participant’s full first and last name in the payment reference.

No separate payment confirmation will be sent. If no payment has been received by the respective deadline, we will contact you with a reminder in due time.

After the end of the Summer Academy, all participants will receive a confirmation listing participation and paid fees.

All active participants receive a total of four lessons.

Yes, the lessons are distributed throughout the course period. The exact schedule is determined by the respective professors.

Usually, lessons take place within one course. In exceptional cases, lessons may be divided between two professors. The requested names should then be indicated in the application form. Participation in two courses is also possible upon prior arrangement.

Yes, for string instruments, a collaborative pianist is available for two lessons.

Practice rooms are available. Due to limited capacity, we kindly ask participants to be considerate and share the rooms fairly.

Yes, passive participants may attend all courses and listen to the lessons as well as the concerts.

Yes, accompanying persons must register as passive participants if they wish to attend lessons other than those of their own child.

Accommodation is organized in shared apartments in Cervo, usually in double or multi-bed rooms. Participants may also arrange their own accommodation. Those who prefer to stay in a hotel organize booking and payment independently. The office should be informed accordingly.

Yes, this is possible depending on availability. Please indicate such requests early in the registration process.

We advise against shortening the duration of the course. However, if unavoidable, the Summer Academy must be informed in advance.

Unfortunately not. Accommodation costs are fixed in agreement with the landlords and apply regardless of the actual length of stay.

We recommend traveling by train to Diano Marina. On the arrival day, students usually meet at the station and share a taxi to Cervo.

Participation in the chamber orchestra is mandatory for all string players. Solo parts are voluntary. The soloists are selected during the academy through an internal audition.

In this case, we try to find individual solutions, for example by dividing lessons between two professors.

Unfortunately, no scholarships are currently available. However, if a confirmation of admission is needed in advance in order to submit it to your university or a scholarship program, we will gladly provide one.

Yes, participation of junior students is possible if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The Summer Academy assumes no liability of any kind.

Reservations can be made by e-mail. Tickets can be picked up at the evening box office and must be paid in cash.

Registration for a chamber music course in advance is only possible for already existing ensembles. However, if new groups form spontaneously on site in Cervo, individual chamber music lessons may also be booked, depending on availability.We are also happy when students come together and make music together outside of the lessons.

The concert programme will be published on the website from the beginning of August.

Application

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General Conditions

The master classes are open to professional musicians and music students. From 20.7.2026 the participants will be informed, whether they are eligible for active participation. An audition or the submission of recordings is not necessary. Participation as an auditor is possible. It is valid for all courses, also active participants are allowed to listen to other courses for free.

There will be 12 public concerts held by Academy professors as well as participants. The final Concert will be played by a chamber orchestra, which will be formed by students of the string classes. The participation is obligatory. The soloists for this concert will be chosen by the professors of the different classes during the course. Participants (violin, viola, cello and piano) will be informed of the concertos to be played in time in advance.

The program prepared for the courses must be indicated in detail at the time of registration. During the course the student will receive four lessons. Languages of courses: German, English, Italian, French.

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Registration Modalities and Payment Terms

Registration Fee: € 60 - With the registration, the registration fee must be payed to the bank account of the "Sommerakademie Cervo" by bank transfer (free of charge for the receiver). End of registration 30.6.2026. Only after the payment of the registration fee is received, confirmation of registration will be sent. The registration fee cannot be refunded in case of withdrawal.
Tuition Fee: € 430 - The tuition fee must be paid to the bank account of the "Sommerakademie Cervo" by bank transfer by 31.7.2026 at the latest. If payment terms for tuition fees are not complied, participation in the course cannot be guaranteed. A partial refund of the course fee is possible under certain conditions, depending on the time of cancellation.
Accommodation: € 380 - More information on the payment modalities of the accommodation fee will be communicated to the participants shortly before the summer academy.

Active participants: € 430 Auditors: € 160 Chamber music: one tuition fee and the corresponding number of registration fees depending on the size of group (e.g. string quartet: 4 registration fees and 1 tuition fee).

Important: in bank transfer the use of the name and the surname of the student must be stated.

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Accommodation

Accommodation of students will be arranged by the Academy in private apartments/houses usually in living communities in double bedrooms or dorms in Cervo. The arrival date is August 31st, and departure is on September 13th.

If a student wishes to stay in a Hotel he/she has to inform the organization of the Academy. The room rent shall be his/her sole responsibility.

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Other

A student participates on his/her own risk. The Academy does not incur liability for anything.

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Bank Account

Arnulf von Arnim Commerzbank Dortmund IBAN: DE96 440800500211806301 SWIFTBIC: DRES DEFF440

Important: In bank transfer the use of the name and the surname of the student must be stated.

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Deadlines

Registration using the registration form by 30.6.2026 - € 60 Payment of the tuition fee by 31.7.2026 - € 430 The accommodation (info on payment tba) - € 380

N.B. In case of disagreement on the interpretation of any of the above, the German text will apply.

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Registration Form

International Summer Academy Cervo 1.9.2026 - 12.9.2026

Personal Details
Course Participation
Practical Information

Contact

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International Summer Academy Cervo 2026

Head of Organisations Lisa Well info@sommerakademie-cervo.com

Artistic Management Prof. Arnulf von Arnim Viktor-Scheffel-Straße 5 80803 München Germany

Address in Italy (during the Academy) Associazione Accademia Internazionale Estiva di Cervo c/o Palazzo Communale I-18010 Cervo (IM)

Azienda di Promozione Turistica di Cervo +39 0183 406462 Int. 3

Information and Registration www.sommerakademie-cervo.com info@sommerakademie-cervo.com

Tickets reservationinfo@sommerakademie-cervo.com or Office IAT +39 0183 406462 - int.3.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions and the General Conditions first.

By submitting, you accept our privacy policy.

Directions

Via Train to Diano The best train connections to Diano can be found at trenitalia.com As there are no direct bus lines from Diano to Cervo, we suggest that you take a taxi from the Diano station to Cervo. You can find them at the taxi stand outside the station or you can call/reserve one via one of the following numbers:

Fabio Carrera, Taxi 5, Diano Marina: +39 349 40 72 066
Taxi Terminal, Diano Marina: +39 0183 49 52 10

Via Bus to Imperia FlixBus offers cheap trips (including nonstop Munich-Imperia) flixbus.it When arriving in Imperia by bus you can walk (15 minutes) to the train station, and then take the train to Diano.

By car (and with new friends) to Cervo We will set up a Facebook group so you can connect with each other and arrange carpools. As soon as the group is online, we will send an email to participants.

By plane to Nice From Nice airport: The easiest way is a 10-15 minute walk to Nice Saint-Augustin train station. From there, a train (changing at Ventimiglia) goes to Diano.

Hotel Arc en Ciel Diano Marina Riviera dei Fiori Italy +39 0183 495283 www.hotelarcenciel.itinfo@hotelarcenciel.it

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Locanda-Ristorante BELLAVISTA Piazza Castello 2 - Cervo (IM) +39 0183 408 094 www.bellavistacervo.combellavistacervo@infinito.it

© 2026 Sommerakademie Cervoinfo@sommerakademie-cervo.com