LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Classeek, an organization dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and supporting classical musicians worldwide, is proud to announce the launch of Insights by Classeek, a premium video library offering groundbreaking interviews with key figures in the classical music industry. The first series features 8 episodes on Media and PR, and is available for €95 only at 

Insights by Classeek is designed to provide aspiring classical musicians with a unique opportunity to gain insider knowledge and guidance from renowned industry experts. Featuring intimate interviews with leaders from renowned brands such as Gramophone, The Violin Channel, Medici.tv, and more, Insights by Classeek offers an unprecedented look at the personalities and strategies shaping the classical music world.

“At Classeek, we are committed to empowering the next generation of classical musicians by providing them with access to practical and useful insights and resources,” said Catarina Amon, CEO of Classeek. “Insights by Classeek is the culmination of this vision, offering users a curated collection of interviews and discussions that illuminate the inner workings of the classical music industry.”

Key features of Insights by Classeek include:

Join now for full access to the first series on media and public relations in classical music. Members will receive on-demand access to exclusive interviews with leaders from The Violin Channel, Gramophone, Medici.tv, and more, all designed to inspire, educate, and empower viewers on their musical journey.

For more information and to access Insights by Classeek, visit 

Announcement: Classeek Launches “Insights by Classeek”

A Premium Series Focusing on Catalysts of the Classical Music Industry

To those who have been asking us for an update – the wait is over! We’re excited to bring you the shortlisted candidates from our Open Application. 

But first – thank you (once again) to everyone who applied this year. We were overwhelmed with the response that we received this year and the level of dedication that so many of you have to your craft. 

Following meticulous selection and scrutiny with our 

, these are the 13 finalists that have been chosen to move on to the next stage of the Open Application process. 

 - French harpist captivating audiences worldwide with soulful playing and technical mastery, earning accolades at prestigious competitions and pursuing a Master's degree in harp performance.

 - Israeli horn player with performances in prestigious venues and accolades, including a temporary contract as deputy solo horn player with the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra.

 - Latvian violinist and chamber musician with acclaim on national and international stages, known for a wide-ranging repertoire and community engagement through charity concerts.

 - Belarusian pianist with international recognition, diverse repertoire, and numerous prestigious performances and awards.

 - Italian cellist with virtuosic performances, first prizes at prestigious international competitions, and extensive concert activity across Italy and abroad.

 - Israeli pianist and prize-winner at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at the New England Conservatory in Boston.

 - Czech violinist acclaimed for performances at esteemed venues worldwide, winner of various competitions and awards, excelling as both a soloist and chamber musician.

 - Israeli pianist with international acclaim, notable awards, performances at renowned festivals, and collaborations with esteemed musicians.

 - Serbian cellist with international recognition through prize-winning performances, extensive collaborations, and a diverse repertoire spanning classical to contemporary works.

 - German violinist with multiple first prizes at international competitions, notable performances at esteemed venues, and collaborations with renowned orchestras.

 - American composer transforming diverse influences into captivating musical portraits, with compositions gracing prestigious venues and reflecting a commitment to youth creativity.

 - American composer and pianist blending diverse musical traditions to explore human emotion, acclaimed for intricate counterpoint and evocative harmonies.

 - Australian-Chinese composer and conductor with worldwide recognition, winning prestigious awards and captivating audiences with innovative compositions exploring diverse themes.

Each finalist brings a unique perspective and interesting career path to the table, and they surely all have a bright future ahead of them. We will be announcing the winners of the Open Application soon—one instrumentalist and one composer—who will join our nominated artists as part of the 2024-25 season of our Ambassador Programme. 

Until then, click on the finalists above to browse their ClasseekLink profiles and connect with them. Or then head over to our 

 to discover more about them. And, of course, stay tuned for the grand reveal!

Meet the 2024-25 Finalists

Who among them will be joining our Ambassador Programme?

As part of the ongoing collaboration between Classeek and ICMA, we are thrilled to unveil the recipient of the 2024 ICMA Classeek Award. This prestigious accolade recognizes exceptional young artists and their contributions to the world of classical music.

Meet Cassie Martin: 2024 ICMA Classeek Award Winner

We are delighted to announce that the winner of the 2024 ICMA Classeek Award is Cassie Martin, a French classical guitarist whose virtuosity has captivated audiences worldwide. Cassie's musical journey began at the age of 5, and her dedication to her craft has propelled her to the forefront of the classical music scene.

At just 21 years old, Cassie has already clinched several international accolades, including the prestigious 1st Prize at the Silesian Guitar Autumn 2022 in Poland, Forum Guitar Wien 2022 in Austria, and the Taiwan International Guitar Competition 2022. Her accolades also include recognition at the Paris International Guitar Competition 2022 and the Alirio Diaz International Guitar Competition 2022.

Cassie honed her skills at institutions like the Conservatoire d'Orléans and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et Danse de Paris. Under the mentorship of renowned guitarists such as Sergio Assad and Jérémy Jouve, she has blossomed into a versatile artist. In addition to her performing career, Cassie shares her passion as a teacher at the Conservatoire de Saint-Cloud. As a Savarez artist, she plays a guitar crafted by Fernando Mazza.

This year's roster of nominees consisted of outstanding artists who were shortlisted for the Classeek Ambassador Programme open application. Each one has made significant marks in their respective fields: flautist Rafael Adobas Bayog, violinist Oliver Neubauer, cellist Jiayi Liu, and pianist Philipp Lynov.

We are also proud to announce that Aida Pascu (soprano), winner of the 2024 ICMA Young Artist award, will join the 2024-25 season of our Classeek Ambassador Programme. This exchange, within the framework of our partnership with ICMA, furthers our commitment to nurturing young artists.

Save the Date: Award Ceremony in Valencia

Cassie will be presented with the award at this year’s ICMA ceremony, which will take place on April 12th in Valencia. She will also perform at the gala concert with Orquesta de València and Alexander Liebreich. Both the ceremony and concert will be available to watch online – 

Announcing the 2024 ICMA-Classeek Award Winner

Celebrating Cassie Martin, classical guitarist 

Trio Pantoum, the critically acclaimed chamber ensemble, announces the addition of a new member, pianist Kojiro Okada who will be joining current members Bogeun Park and Hugo Meder. This change follows the departure of Virgile Roche, who leaves after a remarkable seven-year tenure with the trio to pursue other opportunities.

Trio Pantoum has experienced a series of notable achievements this year, including winning first prizes at the Trio di Trieste International Chamber Music Competition, Joseph Haydn International Chamber Music Competition and the Lyon International Chamber Music Competition. They also secured second prizes at the Osaka ICMC and Melbourne ICMC, and recently received the third prize at the Internationaler Musikwettbewerb der ARD in Munich. They are currently Artist Residency at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and nominated into the 2023-24 Classeek Ambassador Programme.

The trio expresses enthusiasm as they enter their next chapter with their newest member:

“A long time friend since our Conservatoire studies together, Kojiro Okada is a magnificent pianist and marvelous chamber musician. It was very natural for us to continue our musical adventure with him. Kojiro brings us an energy, creativity and joy that we look forward to sharing with you at our upcoming concerts! We're really thrilled and we hope to see you soon at one of our concerts to enjoy the music together.”

Trio Pantoum promises further exciting developments with January 2024 opening with a tour of Italy, and by keeping your ClasseekLink account active, you'll have exclusive access to their latest news. The trio will collaborate with La Belle Saison and Philarmonie de Paris in 2024-2025 and will record their debut album.

Praised by critics as "a passionate and committed violinist" (Bachtrack), Hugo Meder represents the new generation of French violinists. Born into a family of Alsatian winegrowers, Hugo joined the Strasbourg Conservatory and subsequently the CNSMD in Paris under the tutelage of Alexis Galpérine in  2016.  In the meanwhile, he began a career as a soloist and performed regularly in venues such as the Auditorium de la Seine Musicale and Cité de la musique in Paris or the Kammermusiksaal in Stuttgart. He collaborated with the conductors Mathieu Herzog, Chloé Dufresne and Marie Jacquot  with several orchestras. A winner of prestigious international competitions, Hugo has garnered recognition in La lettre du Musicien and France Musique.

French-Korean cellist, Park is a rising star in the world of classical music. Trained at the Conservatoire de Reims and the CNSM in Paris with notable instructors, including Marc-Didier Thirault, Jérôme Pernoo, and Christophe Coin, Park was also a distinguished member of the Tchaikovsky Promotion at the Académie Musicale Philippe Jaroussky during the 2021-2022 season. Prizewinner of several international competitions, his performances are extending all around the world as a soloist and chamber musician. Embracing various genres, he has a particular affinity for early music, exploring the sounds of period instruments and championing a repertoire from Gabrielli to Beethoven. 

 Bordeaux-born pianist, Kojiro Okada began playing the violin alongside his brother, but soon after turned to the piano. In 2008, he was admitted to Anne-Lise Gastaldi's class at the CRR de Paris, where, at the age of thirteen, he won the piano prize with distinction. He then entered the class of Hortense Cartier-Bresson and Florent Boffard  at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse (CNSMD) in Paris. He has already performed in numerous Parisian venues, including the Salle Pleyel as well as the Festival Chopin de Nohant, Festival Nohant Hors les Murs and Festival de l'Orangerie de Sceaux.. He shares the stage with great musicians such as Marie-Josèphe Jude, Frank Braley, Philippe Graffin, Miguel da Silva, Jérôme Pernoo and Yves Henry. In October 2018, he also won first prize at the Gabriel Fauré International Competition.

 for more information about their upcoming concerts. 

Trio Pantoum Announcement

Welcoming new member Kojiro Okada

We extend our huge congratulations to pianist and Ambassador Programme artist 

, who won second prize at the 17th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, last week. 

His success follows the announcement of his debut album 

, to be released on Alpha Classics later this month,  as well as his inclusion in 

 list, featuring thirty sensational musicians of today.

Giorgi will join us later this week, performing in recital at the Classeek Showroom,  in a programme of Scarlatti, Brahms and Liszt.  You can watch via our live stream here on 

Success for Giorgi!

The latest on Giorgi Gigashvili

Ahead of our new collaboration for our upcoming concert streams, Classeek Founder and CEO talks with The Violin Channel about the inspiration for Classeek, her advice for young artists, and the role of career development programs in the industry. 

The Violin Channel will be streaming our upcoming concerts, featuring the artists of our Ambassador Programme, including pianist Julia Hamos, and violinist Bilal Alnemr performing alongside Guiseppe Mentuccia. 

- 23rd March, Recital: Bilal Alnemr & Giuseppe Mentuccia

 You can find out more about the upcoming streams 

Catarina Amon talks with The Violin Channel

Insights with Classeek's Founder & CEO

The Violin Channel have featured Classeek in their recent editorial, introducing our Ambassador Programme and this year's young artists.

Our next two upcoming concerts will be streamed on The Violin Channel, starting with a recital by pianist Julia Hamos (nominated by Sir Andás Schiff) in January, performing a programme of dances, featuring Bartók, Bach, and Schumann. Next up, violinist Bilal Alnemr and pianist Giuseppe Mentuccia will perform Schumann, Fauré, and Solhi al-Wadi. Concerts will be streamed on Classeek.com and the following week on The Violin Channel. 

Feature: The Violin Channel

Classeek's Ambassador Programme & Concerts 

Following last week's announcement of the finalists of our Ambassador Programme open application, we are excited to announce the final artist on our programme this season as violinist Alexey Stychkin!

Alexey, our first ever open application winner, joins eight other exceptional young artists who were nominated on the Ambassador Programme this season. Each musician will have the opportunity to perform a concert, broadcast live and in high definition from the stunning setting of Classeek’s private recital hall in Aubonne, Switzerland, and will receive opportunities for career enhancement, throughout the one-year programme.

Nominated by Sir András Schiff, 21-year-old pianist Avery Gagliano recently made her Carnegie Hall debut and released her debut album “Reflections” on the Steinway & Sons label. She gained international acclaim as the First Prize and Best Concerto Prize winner of the 10th National Chopin Piano Competition and was the only American semifinalist at the 18th International Chopin Competition in 2021.

Nominated by Renaud Capuçon, 22-year-old Paul Zientara began studying the viola at the age of seven at the Music school of Yerres in Yves Pruvot's class. In 2015, he joined the CRR (Regional Conservatory) of Paris in Françoise Gnéri's class. He regularly participates in international academies and masterclasses including the Kronberg Academy Festival

Nominated by Gautier Capuçon,  20-year-old cellist Jeein You was born in South Korea in 2002 and began studying cello at five. When she was seven she joined the Korea National University Of Arts Preschool under her tutor Chung Myung-Wha. Her ambassador Capuçon says, “Jeein is such a talented cellist and a very sensitive musician with an incredible ability to carry her emotions through music."

Nominated by Sir András Schiff, pianist Julia Hamos performs a programme of Bach, Bartók and Schumann. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, Hamos currently studies with Sir András Schiff at the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin and at the Kronberg Academy. In 2021 she worked with Daniel Barenboim in a succession of filmed masterclasses on Beethoven's solo piano and string sonatas.

Nominated by Sonia Simmenauer, violinist Bilal Alnemr began to study violin at the age of eight, at the Solhi-AL-WADI Conservatory. In 2007, he won the first prize in the national competition for young Syrian talents. His mentor Sonia Simmenauer says, “I was stricken when I met with Bilal the first time and his seriousness about being a musician. I admire his courage and dedication to music.”

Nominated by Sonia Simmenauer, 22-year-old Gigashvili is a frequent soloist and chamber musician working with various orchestras and taking part in festivals and masterclasses all over the world. He has always been passionate about music and was trained by famous Georgian pianist and teacher Revaz Tavadze where he continued his formal musical training at the Paliashvili Central Music School for Gifted Children. 

Nominated by Emmanuel Pahud, 24-year-old flautist Alberto Navarra began his studies under Maurizio Valentini at the Ghedini Conservatory in Cuneo. His ambassador Emmanuel Pahud says, “Alberto Navarra is a leading talent of his generation.” Alberto is also a laureate of the Severino Gazzelloni International Flute Competition and the Carl Nielsen Flute Competition.

Nominated by Sir András Schiff, 21-year-old pianist Tom Borrow began playing the piano at the age of 5 and has performed as a soloist with many native orchestras of his country, including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and the Israel Symphony Orchestra.

Welcomed onto the programme via the open application, Russian-Greek violinist Alexey Stychkin, born in Moscow in 2000, comes from a family with deep musical and artistic roots. He began his musical studies at the age of five and continued on to study with Marc Bouchkov at the Liege Royal Conservatory. Alexey is currently studying his masters degree at the Hochschule fur Musik und Tanz in Cologne with Mihaela Martin, and this season  holds an academy position in the first violin section of the Staatskapelle Berlin. 

Each artist on the programme will perform at the Classeek concert hall during the season, in a variety of solo, duo and chamber recitals. Find out more about our 

Ambassador Programme Artists 2022-23

Latest news

One of the most widely performed French composers of today, Eric Tanguy's latest disc of chamber works 'In a Dream', released earlier this year, evokes “imagination, poetry and an interior world”.  

Featuring a selection of his works, composed over the past twenty years, the disc showcases an array of artists including violinists Alexandra Conunova and Rosanne Philippens, violist Lise Berthaud, cellist Edgar Moreau, clarinettist Pierre Génisson, pianists Suzana Bartal and David Kadouch, Quatuor Diotima.

"For an entire CD of chamber music by Eric Tanguy, Erato has brought together a group of artists who play the eight compositions with great dedication."

Eric Tanguy joins us here at Classeek next week, on 19th October, in a special live-stream concert featuring music from this latest release, performed by Alexandra Conunova, David Kadouch and Suzana Bartal. You can watch live on our website

The latest on Eric Tanguy

CD and concerts

Last night saw a memorable concert here at Classeek with a performance by Ambassador Programme artist and pianist Kim Bernard, joined on stage by our Ambassador, Gautier Capuçon.

Kim Bernard performed a lyrical and sensitive interpretation of Chopin's Ballade in F minor Op.52 and a spirited selection from Debussy. Joined by Gautier Capuçon for the latter half of the concert, the pair united to perform Grieg's Cello Sonata in A minor, followed by four captivating encores. 

Our season opened with a chamber concert by violinist Filipe Johnson, violist Dor Sperber, pianist Natalia Morozova, and composer/Classeek Ambassador Nimrod Borenstein. The season continued with artists of our Ambassador Programme, such as pianists Shir Semmel, Nathalia Milstein and Kiana Reid (nominated by Sir Andràs Schiff) and cellists Caroline Sypniewski and Anouchka Hack. 

We continue to collaborate with the Conservatoire de Lausanne in our pre concerts, offering the students a valuable platform to perform. We're looking forward to bringing you a whole new season of concerts with emerging young classical artists. Stay tuned for news on our upcoming season. 

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