PRESPENSIS New Music Creation Academy

The only Music Academy in the world combining contemporary music composition and performance, designed exclusively for university and high school students, with a special emphasis on creating works that integrate contemporary and traditional Balkan music techniques.

PRESPENSIS New Music Creation Academy

The only Music Academy in the world combining contemporary music composition and performance, designed exclusively for university and high school students, with a special emphasis on creating works that integrate contemporary and traditional Balkan music techniques.

PRESPENSIS New Music Creation Academy

The only Music Academy in the world combining contemporary music composition and performance, designed exclusively for university and high school students, with a special emphasis on creating works that integrate contemporary and traditional Balkan music techniques.

The Academy

PRESPENSIS New Music Academy was founded in 2025 as part of TRIETHNÉS FESTIVAL and its commitment to music education and community engagement. The Academy is developed in partnership with two of the largest universities in Northern Greece—the University of Macedonia and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki—, regional music high schools in Kastoria and Ptolemaida and as of 2026 with the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln.

The program aims to provide young composers with real-world opportunities to create new works commissioned by the Academy, compose for live ensembles formed by student performers, and present these works as part of the festival programme. In doing so, both composers and performers gain valuable professional experience within the context of an international music festival.

20

Participants

6

World Premiered Works

70

Study Hours

PRESPENSIS Academy

Our Approach

Our approach is grounded in the belief that meaningful music education emerges from the integration of both practical and theoretical training. The Academy engages participants as emerging professionals, and through intensive individual and group coaching ensures that their involvement extends beyond the presentation of new works. Participants develop essential professional skills, including collaboration, communication, leadership, and artistic responsibility.