In July 2010, the American Bach Soloists will inaugurate North America’s newest annual professional training program in Historically Informed Performance Practice.  Drawing on their distinguished roster of performers—named “the best American specialists in early music” by The Washington Post—the American Bach Soloists’ ACADEMY will offer advanced conservatory-level students and emerging professionals unique opportunities to study and perform Baroque music in a multi-disciplinary learning environment. In addition to in-depth coachings and technical studies with masters of their particular instruments, string players, wind players, continuo and keyboard players, and singers will work together with all faculty members, gaining the perspectives of eminent and highly acclaimed professional artists from a variety of disciplines.

The ACADEMY will be held in the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s exquisite new facilities, opened just three years ago in the heart of the city’s arts district. Located two blocks from Davies Symphony Hall (home of the San Francisco Symphony) and the War Memorial Opera House (home of the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet companies), the Conservatory offers state-of-the-art performance halls, classrooms, practice rooms, and teaching studios. Nearby housing is available at nominal cost to students. Jeffrey Thomas (artistic director of the American Bach Soloists) and Corey Jamason (principal keyboardist for American Bach Soloists and director of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s program in Early Music) will be co-directors of the Academy.

The Henry I. Goldberg Young Artist Award of $3,000 will be given to one student at the conclusion of each year's Academy.

Tuition for the two-week program is competitively priced at $500 per week ($1,000 for the two-week session). Limited scholarships will be available as well as work/study scholarships. The student/teacher ratio will range from 4:1 to 6:1.

More... [performances]

Faculty

Elizabeth Blumenstock
violin

Max van Egmond
baritone

Corey Jamason
harpsichord & co-director

Steven Lehning
violone & contrabass

Judith Malafronte
alto

Robert Mealy
violin

Sandra Miller
flute

Debra Nagy
oboe & recorder

Elisabeth Reed
viola da gamba & violoncello

John Thiessen
trumpet

Jeffrey Thomas
co-director

Tanya Tomkins
violoncello