Jiyoon Lee
Visiting Instructor
First concertmaster of Staatskapelle Berlin, acclaimed for her virtuosic and passionate violin performances
"I'm forever grateful to BOA that it gave me chance to meet amazing musicians from all over the world. Each rehearsal was a huge inspiration for me." - Lusine G, Armenia
Berlin Opera Academy Orchestra gives musicians real-world experience through an immersive summer training program in the heart of Europe.
ALUMNI AMBASSADORS
Meet our alumni ambassadors - past participants who are happy to share their experience to help inform your choices this summer
Maya Lynn
Nicole Gallegos
Nadia Carmona Carrasco
Sebastian Bleu
Daryna Friesen
A typical day with BOA Orchestra
9:30 - 12:30
Chamber Music, Masterclass or Audition Training
14:00 - 17:00
Opera Repertoire Rehearsal
18:00 - 19:00
German Language Classes
The BOA Orchestra Program gives musicians a real-life experience playing in a German opera orchestra while improving audition skills, chamber music performance and having an unforgettable summer. Participants will look forward to a four-week immersive experience with international friendships that last a lifetime.
Summer studies include:
Operatic repertoire training and performance
Chamber music training and performance
Sectional orchestral coaching
German language classes
Audition training
Daily access to practice rooms
Masterclasses and workshops
We're immensely grateful for the partnership and generous support of the Berliner Symphoniker for enriching our orchestra and making our summer a great success.
2027 SEASON
Session 1: Jun 26 - Jul 25
Orpheus In The Underworld // Offenbach
L'incoronazione di Poppea // Monteverdi
La Bohème // Puccini
Session 2: Jul 17 - Aug 22
Cendrillon // Massenet
Die Zauberflöte // Mozart
Carmen // Bizet
WINTER SESSION ORCHESTRA //
Selected instrumentalists may be invited to Berlin to participate in our winter production as part of the Year-Round Opera School, depending on repertoire needs and availability.
Dates: January 23 - 31, 2027
This is not a separate application track. If you are available and interested in being considered for this opportunity, you may indicate so on the application form.
APPLICATION PROCESS //
Early Application Deadline: January 15th, 2027
Application Fee: €29
Winter Session Application Fee: €0
If you are applying for the winter session only, the application is free.
Application Instructions: Submit the form below for our summer orchestra programme. If you would like to be considered for our Winter production, please indicate your interest in the application form.
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis. This means early applications are prioritized.
FACULTY
Jiyoon Lee
Dominic Wheeler
Conductor
Head of Opera Studies at Guildhall School of Music
Peter Leonard
Conductor
Guest conducted the NY Philharmonic, Former artistic director and GMD of German opera houses
Carlos Spierer
Conductor
Guest Conductor and Teacher at renowned opera houses such as San Francisco Opera, Frankfurt Opera & Komische Oper Berlin
Sebastian
Mueller
Visiting Professor
Renowned violinist and professor with engagements at major concert halls and institutions worldwide
Kevin Class
Conductor
Belgian pianist and conductor known for his refined performances and over 15 acclaimed recordings, with a career spanning solo recitals at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall
Dr David Kram
Conductor
Artistic Director of the MTO-German-Australian Opera Grant
Christian Standridge
Visiting Instructor
American cellist who has performed in major concert halls across the world, studying under renowned musicians and currently teaching and maintaining a private studio in Berlin
Matthew Toogood
Conductor
First Kapellmeister and Musical Director at Konzerttheater Bern, guest conductor at Komische Oper Berlin
Nobuko Amemiya
Instructor
Collaborative pianist and vocal coach for major institutions, Tanglewood Prize winner
Christina Brabetz
Instructor
TONALi Grand Prix winner, performed Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with Kurt Masur
Marina Grauman
Instructor
First concertmaster of the German Symphony Orchestra Berlin, founding member of Trio Marvin
Leslie Riva-Ruppert
Instructor
Cellist in the German Symphony Orchestra Berlin since 2003, Maria Canals Competition winner
Yun Jin Cho
Instructor
Violinist in the Gewandhaus Orchestra, former Concertmaster of Staatsoper Hamburg, teacher at Leipzig Hochschule für Musik
Tatjana Weller
Instructor
Bass clarinetist at the DSO, with orchestral experience at the Thuringian Symphony Orchestra, Hanover State Opera, and Duisburg Philharmonic
Michaela Špačková
Instructor
Principal bassoonist at Konzerthausorchester Berlin and Staatskapelle Berlin Academy, ARD and Prague Spring Competition winner
Stefan de Leval Jezierski
Instructor
Member of Berlin Philharmonic for 44 years, co-founded Scharoun Ensemble Berlin, guest performer with top orchestras worldwide
Olaf Ott
Instructor
Solo trombonist at the Berlin Philharmonic since 1999, member of brass ensemble and Triton Trombone Quartet
Thomas Ritschel
Instructor
Thomas Ritschel is an acclaimed bassoonist who has performed with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Staatsoper Stuttgart, and Festival Strings Lucerne
TUITION & SCHOLARSHIP
€ 750: Single Session Orchestra Tuition
Thanks to our donors, we are able to offer over €300,000 in scholarships to successful applicants across BOA.
All orchestra members are required to submit a refundable security deposit of 500€ to hold their place at BOA. This will be refunded upon successful completion of the program after the summer ends. (BOA will begin processing all refunds in September)