Media Releases
Conductor Ming Luke named Program Director for Festival Napa Valley Music Academy to be held July 9 – 23, 2017 at Napa Valley College
Napa, CA – March 1, 2017 – Festival Napa Valley introduces a tuition-free music academy for emerging professional musicians as part of its 2017 summer season. The Academy will welcome 60 musicians representing many of the country’s most esteemed conservatories and music schools including Juilliard, New England Conservatory, San Francisco Conservatory, Rice University, Manhattan School of Music, and others. Conductor Ming Luke has been named Program Director for the two-week intensive program being held at Napa Valley College, July 9 – 23, 2017.
“Festival Napa Valley has presented over 200 internationally renowned musicians and artists during its first 12 seasons and has acted as a springboard for some of today’s brightest classical music stars,” said Rick Walker, Festival Napa Valley President and CEO. “It’s a natural evolution for our organization to offer a formal training opportunity for the next generation of musicians.”
Participating musicians will receive daily coaching and master classes led by festival soloists, principal players of Festival Orchestra NAPA, and conductors Stéphane Denève, Martin West and Joel Revzen. Academy musicians will also gain valuable professional experience performing at Festival Napa Valley 2017 concerts including Gloria Estefan – The Standards (Saturday, July 15), Sunday at the Symphony (Sunday, July 16), and Porgy & Bess in Concert (Saturday, July 22). The musicians will also have opportunities to perform in chamber ensemble settings.
“As the premier community college in the state, Napa Valley College is pleased to have our Performing Arts Center be the home of Festival Napa Valley Music Academy. This world-class program is a perfect match with our mission to provide exceptional arts, culinary and viticulture educational opportunities,” stated Napa Valley College President Dr. Ronald Kraft.
Local high school and Napa Valley College students will have access to Academy open rehearsals and master classes, and will be able to participate in reading rehearsals.
Musicians can view audition repertoire and apply for Festival Napa Valley’s Music Academy via www.napafestacademy.org. The application fee is $45. Applications are being accepted through April 15, 2017.