ARTIST ACADEMY
JULY 25-AUGUST 3, 2025
APPLICATION FORM IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2025
CONCERTO COMPETITION VIDEO PRESCREENING DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2025
AT A GLANCE
The BIMF Artist Academy is a performance-intensive summer music program for talented violin, viola, cello, flute, guitar, voice, and piano students. The BIMF Artist Academy offers private lessons, workshops, chamber music coachings, masterclasses & lectures with world-renowned guest artists, and ensemble collaborations paired with fun team-building activities.
Students will have the opportunity to study with internationally acclaimed faculty, engage in captivating lectures and masterclasses led by seasoned concert artists, perform in several concerts in picturesque venues and concert halls across the Beira Interior region, and collaborate in chamber ensembles.
WHEN AND WHERE
The BIMF Artist Academy will take place from July 25 to August 3, 2025 in Bendada (Municipality of Sabugal), Portugal. Lessons and rehearsals will be held at Casa da Música, a newly built state-of-the-art music school with soundproof practice rooms and a beautiful glass-wall concert hall overlooking the scenic valley. Additional practice space will be available in other facilities in the village. The Festival will provide student transportation to all concerts and outings.
ELIGIBILITY
The BIMF Artist Academy welcomes gifted violin, viola, cello, flute, guitar, voice, and piano students ages 14 and older. Artists Academy students usually attend high school or university music programs.
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
Fill out the Application Form located at the bottom of this page
Deadline to apply: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Accepted students will be notified starting from Monday, May 26, 2025
Tuition, meal plan, housing fees, and Concerto Competition application fee must be paid in full by Monday, June 16, 2025
PROGRAM OFFERING
The BIMF Artist Academy offers a combination of private lessons, chamber music coachings, masterclasses and workshops, performance opportunities, and fun team-building activities. Classes are taught in English and Portuguese
PRIVATE LESSONS AND CHAMBER MUSIC
The BIMF Artist Academy welcomes gifted violin, viola, cello, clarinet, flute, guitar, voice, and piano students. Each student will receive a minimum of 3 private lessons. In addition to private lessons, students will receive several chamber music coachings. Students will be grouped into small ensembles and assigned a piece to rehearse and perform during the festival. Chamber music assignments and repertoire will be emailed to the students one month before the beginning of the BIMF Artist Academy.
LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, AND MASTERCLASSES
The BIMF Artist Academy offers a diverse selection of lectures, workshops, and masterclasses. Masterclasses and lecturers will be held by world-renowned guest artists such as cellist Levon Mouradian and flutist Nuno Inácio, as well as members of the internationally acclaimed BIMF faculty.
Additional guest artists will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
PERFORMANCES AND CONCERTS
BIMF students are invited to perform a solo piece during the Performathon under the Stars* on Saturday, August 2, 2025 and their chamber music pieces at the Gala Concert on Sunday, August 3, 2025. Both performances will take place in Bendada. Additional performance opportunities will be offered to students who distinguish themselves during the festival. For a detailed concert schedule, please visit the Concerts page.
*The solo piece for the Performathon under the Stars should be less than 6 minutes in length. Students are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of a piano accompanist for the concert on August 2, 2025, if needed. The festival can provide a list of piano accompanists.
CONCERTO COMPETITION
All admitted BIMF Artist Academy students are eligible to participate in the BIMF Concerto Competition. Finalists of the Concerto Competition will perform as soloists with orchestra at the stunning Sabugal Castle on Friday, August 1, 2025.
For more information regarding the concerto competition, please visit the Concerto Competition page.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Between lessons, workshops, rehearsals, and concerts, the BIMF Artist Academy also includes outings to the surrounding areas such as Sortelha, Belmonte, and Sabugal, where centuries-old castles tower inconspicuously over the hubbub of everyday life. Visits to museums and outdoor recreational activities offer students the ideal opportunity to relax while appreciating the local culture and breathtaking landscapes.
TUITION
COST AND TUITION
Thanks to the support of the Municipality of Sabugal, the Associação Alvorada nas Beiras, and the donations of the Friends of the Benadada Music Festival, the Festival was able to subsidize the tuition for all accepted students. Tuition is €275 for Portuguese citizens and Portuguese residents, and €400 for International students. Tuition includes private lessons, chamber coachings, workshops, masterclasses, admission to museums, and transportation to all concerts and outings.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Students who need financial support to participate in the festival can apply for a partial scholarship. Scholarships are limited and very competitive. To be considered for financial aid, applicants must submit a video recording representing their current artistic level and a letter of motivation. The letter should describe the applicant’s need for financial assistance, academic background, musical career goals, and interest in participating in the Bendada Music Festival. The video recording and the letter of motivation should be uploaded via the Artist Academy Application Form linked at the bottom of this page.
Scholarships do not cover meal plans and housing costs.
MEAL PLAN
Bendada does not have restaurants. There are just two cafes and two small grocery stores that provide a limited selection of snacks and groceries. Because of that, students are highly encouraged to enroll in the Festival meal plan. During the Festival, lunch and dinner will be served at the music school, provided by a local kitchen.
The Festival meal plan costs 145€ and includes 18 meals, starting with dinner on Friday, July 25, and ending with lunch on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
HOUSING
Housing provided by the Festival will be available in Bendada and hostels in nearby villages (a shuttle service will provide daily transportation to Bendada). The total cost of housing for 9 nights (from Friday, July 25, to Sunday, August 3, 2025) is €100. Please let us know in the application form if you would like to be considered for housing.
The closest hotels available are in the nearby cities of Belmonte, Sortelha, and Sabugal, a 20-minute drive from Bendada. Public transportation is very limited, so students not staying in Bendada should plan on having a car. For more information regarding hotels and how to reach the region, please visit the Tourism Page.