Voksenåsen Programme for Musical Leadership
Young concertmasters and section leaders
Young musicians developing as pedagogues
Voksenåsen Music Academies opens a new Nordic programme for young classical musicians developing musical leadership and pedagogical skills. The programme includes a profile for young string players developing as concertmasters and section leaders, and a pedagogical profile open to both string players and singers.
The programme is rooted in musical practice and in the situations where responsibility is carried: in preparation, rehearsal, listening, communication, teaching and care for the shared artistic process.
Applicants may apply with a main focus on musical leadership, pedagogical leadership, or a combination of both. Much of the work is shared: performance psychology, health, pedagogical awareness and the ability to communicate clearly are central to good leadership in music, whether in an orchestra, an ensemble, a teaching situation or a wider artistic process.
The programme builds on Voksenåsen’s existing work with young musicians through the Summer Academy, Talent Programmes and Nordic partner network.
Participation is free of charge. Voksenåsen covers the costs of taking part in the programme, including travel and accommodation connected to programme activities.
Applications open: 12 August 2026
Application deadline: 5 September 2026
Who can apply?
The programme is open to applicants from, based in, or studying in the Nordic countries.
Applicants should:
- perform at a very high artistic level
- have experience in solo, chamber music, ensemble and/or orchestral performance
- be within the relevant age limit for their profile
Applicants may choose one profile, or combine both where relevant:
Young concertmasters and section leaders
- for string players developing as concertmasters, section leaders or first-desk players
- high-level orchestral experience required
- leadership experience is an advantage
- age limit: 30
Young musicians developing as pedagogues
- for string players and singers with a strong interest in teaching at conservatory, university or academy level
- strong pedagogical interest required
- teaching experience is an advantage
- age limit: 30 for string players, 35 for singers
What the programme includes
The programme may include:
- gatherings at Voksenåsen
- seminars and conversations with leading performers, pedagogues and institutional representatives
- mentoring and professional guidance
- first-desk or section-leader practice
- teaching practice and assistant roles
Participants will work with how to take responsibility in rehearsals, orchestras, ensembles, teaching situations and collaborative projects. The programme also includes perspectives on mental preparation, injury prevention, auditions, career choices, freelance life and long-term working capacity.
Participants will be connected to selected Voksenåsen partner arenas. Possible contexts include Voksenåsen Summer Academy, Arctic Chamber Music Festival, Arktisk Filharmoni, Baltic Sea Festival, Bergen International Festival, Helsingborgs Symfoniorkester, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, Creative Dialogue, Accademia Stauffer and selected orchestral, festival and educational environments.
The programme will be led by Voksenåsen Music Academies’ artistic director Peter Herresthal, together with mentors and guest artists from Nordic and international music institutions.
Mentors and guests include Catherine Cho from Juilliard, Malin Broman from the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrej Power from the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra / London Symphony Orchestra, David Coucheron from Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Eivind Ringstad from London Symphony Orchestra, and Henrik Brendstrup from the Royal Academy of Music Århus, alongside guests from Nordic higher music education environments. Mentors for vocal pedagogy include Randi Stene, artistic director of the Norwegian National Opera, and Susanna Eken.
Applicants will be asked to submit:
- CV
- performance video
- short reflection on musical and/or pedagogical leadership
- information about relevant orchestral, leadership, teaching and/or mentoring experience
- one reference contact
Applications can only be submitted through the online application form.
Applications will be reviewed by Voksenåsen Music Academies’ artistic leadership. Final selection will be made by an external international jury.
For questions, please contact:
Max Nyman
Project Manager
max@voksenaasen.no
+358 400 599 102