Orchestra Institute

Empowering rising orchestral musicians to become job-ready artists.

Imagine an apprenticeship at the world’s leading orchestras within six months. That’s OAcademy.

Open to rising orchestral instrumentalists around the world.

Submit your application

About OAcademy's Orchestra Institute

OAcademy is an international music conservatory and member of The European Association of Conservatories. The Orchestra Institute offers an Artist Diploma developed with musicians from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, MET Opera, and Mahler Chamber Orchestra.

Faculty includes established artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Marin Alsop, Augustin Hadelich, and Evelyn Glennie. The programme is accessible online to orchestral musicians worldwide who are beginning their professional careers. There is no age limit. Most participants have completed undergraduate-level training.

OAcademy Artist Diploma

The OAcademy Artist Diploma is a six-month programme that prepares orchestral musicians for professional practice. Through online instruction and optional residencies, fellows develop their performance abilities while building practical professional skills. The curriculum focuses primarily on advanced technique and musicianship, with dedicated time for career development, including audition preparation, media training, and professional networking.

The blended format allows students from any country to study with established musicians and collaborate with peers internationally. The programme includes six core components and concludes with final assessments for the Artist Diploma.

The Artist Diploma runs from January to late June. The schedule is designed for students and working musicians, with approximately 5 hours of group live sessions weekly, regular Studio classes, flexible individual lessons, plus independent study time.

Make OAcademy your next step

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Our Faculty

Marin Alsop
Yo-Yo Ma
Sarah Willis
Augustin Hadelich
Elizabeth Hainen
Matilda Lloyd
Alexei Ogrintchouk
Evelyn Glennie

Lead & Guest Faculty

Exlore our academic roster - meet our Studio Heads, Orchestra Principals, Guest Soloists, Conductors and Industry Experts
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Your learning journey

Masterclasses
Performance confidence

Work directly with principals from leading orchestras on interpretation, technique, and stage presence

Studio Classes
Audition preparation

Focus on thematic areas related to orchestral performance (repertoire, techniques, traditions) and solo repertoire

Orchestral Studies
Repertoire study

Receive Conductors' feedback on performed excerpts, while exploring historical and cultural aspects of the compositions

Performance Science
Psychology for musicians

Effective practice strategies, managing stress and performance anxiety, building confidence, focus, and concentration

Workshops
Musical communication

Develop skills for communicating ideas nonverbally, and for effective rehearsal processes

 

Career Guidance
Navigating the industry

Learn from leaders about the artistic, organizational, and entrepreneurial dimensions of the profession

Artist in the community
Artistic identity & engagement

Refine your artistic and professional identity to understand how your work is situated within your community

IN-PERSON RESIDENCIES
Field immersive

Cross-cultural repertoire workshops culminating with public performances

"Amazed is the word I have for this class, I didn't know that a virtual class could be conducted in this way!"

OAcademy Fellow

Meet OAcademy Fellows

Get to know the next generation of international orchestra musicians
Orchestra Cohort

Orchestra Institute Fellowship

Contact & Help

If you have any questions about your application, please contact OAcademy Head of Learning Joana Boechat at apply@oacademy.live

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