Dear Professor Steinschaden!
On behalf of our children Lisa and Lorenz, we would once again like to thank you for the wonderful masterclass last week! We have received nothing but positive feedback from our children, and both of them thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the week – the lessons, the food, and also the company of the other children. For Lorenz in particular, it was a wonderful experience to share a room for a week with two like-minded pianists. As a pianist, one usually spends a great deal of time working alone, and he does not often have the opportunity to meet boys his age who share the same interests.
A heartfelt thank you for everything this week has given our children, and our sincere thanks to everyone involved.
Kind regards, Regina and Thomas Tatschl and family
...Dear Univ.Prof. Georg Steinschaden, Could you let me express my sincere gratitude for your hosting the AMC course.Anna has made a lot of progress since joining. This is the best music course we have ever taken. Not only has her piano level improved significantly, but even her relatively elementary second instrument, violin, has become the first violinist of the school orchestra as soon as she returned to school. Vivian (Annas mother)...
Wonderful. We are so happy with everything. Excellent communication, a week full of music for Greta, and first-class teaching! She looks forward to it all year long!! Best regards, N. Rütjes
The Austrian Master Classes were the first international masterclass I had ever attended. They gave me a wealth of new experiences, encounters and insights. The extensive and fascinating lessons with my teacher Kim-Ozim, the opportunity to observe lessons with other teachers, and the additional courses offered gave me a new perspective on professional musical work. I learned new approaches to practising and felt encouraged in my desire to pursue music at university. Looking back, I particularly remember the wonderful sense of community and the experience of making music together with everyone who was there – whether literally playing together for fun in an ensemble or simply practising side by side in two different practice rooms. The inspiration I received in Ms Kim-Ozim’s lessons, as well as the encounters and exchanges with the other participants, have greatly motivated and inspired me for my future musical path. Leonore Gremm
...Working intensively every day for an entire week helped me make enormous progress. Since both Francesca Canali and our accompanist Fausto Quintaba come from Italy, we even had one lesson entirely in Italian! As I am learning the language at school, this was another wonderful experience. The weather at the beginning of September was very pleasant, and the picturesque surroundings were perfect for walks and spending time outdoors together during our free time. I also greatly enjoyed the opportunity to sit in on other lessons. A highlight, of course, was the final concert, in which I performed both as a soloist and in an ensemble. Despite Covid, it was well attended and therefore offered a wonderful opportunity to perform. This is a fantastic opportunity for young musicians preparing for university-level music studies! Thank you very much! Alma Čermak
Good morning Dear Georg, We would like to thank you for orginising fantastic event - Masterclasses "camp". Our son Linas really loved it and enjoyed very much every single day. Location, rooms, atmosphere, people, food, classes with David, after classes activity - everything. Linas was very happy after last years Masterclasses event, but this year he was even more happy. So we (parents) are also very happy and hope we will be able to come back next year again. I think you are doing a great and very important job, we really appreciate it and are gratefull to you personaly and whole your team. Looking forward to see you next year again, Take care and stay well, Tadas (Linas father)
Dear Professor Steinschaden, it has already been a few days since the Youth Course in Zell came to an end – much to my daughter Sara’s regret..... “I would so love to go back to the castle” – that is a sentence I now hear several times a day :-) In short, the week was a complete success! Sara felt completely at home (...and she also got along wonderfully with her roommate Sofia). She absolutely loved the lessons and learned so many new things – both with you at the piano and in her cello lessons. She is now highly motivated to continue practising and consolidating everything she learned at home. (P.S.: I have no idea how you managed it – but something her piano teacher here has been telling Sara for ages – namely to practise slowly and carefully – she is finally taking to heart. That alone made the whole experience worthwhile!) Thank you so much for the wonderful time Sara was able to spend with you at the Easter Camp!
Petra P.
...I am already looking forward to having another wonderful week like this to look forward to next year. I truly enjoyed it very, very much. This was due to a.) the location, b.) the people and c.) the teacher/accompanist team, who worked together in such perfect harmony.
Sandra D.
...we would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your entire team very warmly for allowing Joseph to spend such an interesting, educational and enjoyable week with all of you. Full of fresh inspiration and highly motivated, he is now working on putting everything he learned into practice.
Dear Professor Steinschaden, Hannah once again thoroughly enjoyed the Summer Camp and undoubtedly benefited greatly from it. At the final concert, it was wonderful to see how much joy and dedication had gone into the work throughout the week and how valuable the organisation of events such as these truly is. A heartfelt thank you to you, and warmest congratulations!
Dear Mr Steinschaden, now that we are back in Spain, we would like to thank you very warmly for the wonderful farewell concert on Saturday. Our daughter Malena returned home full of musical impressions and highly motivated to continue pursuing her goals. According to Malena, she learned more during the past four days than in the previous four years. We consider this a great compliment to your work and would once again like to thank you most sincerely for your masterclasses.
Gesine, Timo and Malena
Dear Mr Steinschaden, Now that the holidays are over, Sara Giulia will return to school tomorrow enriched by so many wonderful experiences and impressions. I would once again like to thank you most sincerely for all the wonderful moments my daughter was able to experience in Zell. Sara was delighted and returned home full of motivation. I know that Sara is not an exceptional prodigy, nor does she intend to place all her hopes on one single path. This made it all the more of an honour for her to have the opportunity to take part at Schloss Zell.
Dear Professor Steinschaden, we are delighted that Nada returned from the Summer Camp so enthusiastic and highly motivated. She felt completely at home and would happily have stayed even longer. Although this was the first time she had been away from home on her own, she was never homesick and did not feel any need for parental support. Thank you for the outstanding work that you and your team have done.
Dear Professor Steinschaden, your Youth Camp gave our daughter not only a completely new experience of making music, but also some very valuable new friendships. It is also wonderful to see the enthusiasm Francesca Canali inspires among the young flautists through the various projects. Julia is already very much looking forward to the next Youth Camp, and we are looking forward to it with her. Thank you very much for your valuable work!
Dear Mr Steinschaden, my daughter Johanna attended the Summer Camp for young pianists in August and had lessons with you. Now, six months later, I wanted to give you some feedback on how things have developed since then. Johanna came to the Summer Camp with pieces that she could only play rather roughly at the time. She returned home highly motivated. The biggest change was that she now expresses far more emotion in her piano playing. She says that this was something you repeatedly “asked for” and encouraged, although she was not yet able to show it very well while she was in Austria. Last weekend she took part once again in the Jugend musiziert competition and won first prize with 21 points. As parents, we were delighted that she accepted this challenge, mastered it so successfully and performed her pieces with so much feeling. Now we are enjoying working on new repertoire. Thank you very much for your work and for everything you invest in Johanna and in the many children and young people who attend your camps. It truly makes a difference!
Dear Mr Steinschaden, we would once again like to thank you for the wonderful time Lisa was able to spend with you at the Easter Camp. She enjoyed it immensely, and it also awakened a new love for her instrument. Of course, it was also a very special experience for Lisa to be taught personally by you. We would therefore already like to reserve Lisa’s place for the next Easter Camp.
Dear Professor Steinschaden, the regional youth music competition organised by Sparkasse Markgräfler Land took place here at the weekend. All our children performed twice, all of them also playing piano: Meike in a duo with a violist, Matthias in a trio with two other young oboists, and Martin and Moritz in a trumpet/horn duo. Three years ago, their piano performances were very much in the “also-ran” category. This year, things looked completely different: the boys each won a first prize, and Meike won a second prize!! This is a very direct result of the work in Zell and of the motivation and inspiration they receive there. I have always said so, but now it has become, in a sense, “measurable”. Of course, they did not play “perfectly” and were themselves unsure after their performances how they had been received, but clearly they convinced the jury. It was fantastic! Our thanks to you, Conny, Mr Genin and everyone else involved in making these camps so wonderful!
Good morning, first of all, thank you very much for the experience my daughter had at Zell am Pram: her stay has been very useful and we hope she will come back the next year.
Dear Prof. Steinschaden, I am Micheles mother. Michele was at Zell an der Pram in the previuos week, from 21st to 28th August. With this letter I would like to thank you for the wonderful experience you gave to my kid. Michele was enthusiast. Perhaps he will not become a pianist in his furute profession, but I think he will remember forever his week at the Schloss. With best regards from Milano
Dear Mr Frotscher, thank you for sending the article. Alexandra truly benefited greatly from this course and received a wealth of new inspiration. Afterwards, even while we were on holiday in Italy, she practised the violin every day despite the intense heat. We were also delighted by the surroundings and the wonderful atmosphere there. Thank you once again for this fantastic opportunity! Warm regards, Angela Grohmann (mother of Alexandra, one of the winners of the Handel-Mozart Scholarship in Halle)
I would like to get in touch once again after the vocal course in Zell to thank you. What struck me particularly – and this was something I repeatedly heard in conversations with other participants – was how pleasant the working atmosphere is. The teachers I observed, regardless of how distinguished they may be, work with every participant at his or her individual level. There are no disparaging remarks, no humiliating anyone, no impatience or rudeness. This seems to be part of the course’s “corporate design” or perhaps simply the result of your excellent choice of teachers – and we participants notice this consciously and appreciate it very much. The fact that the level of teaching is simultaneously extremely high and that everyone is encouraged and challenged right up to the limits of their abilities makes it all the better. You have therefore achieved a wonderful combination: supportive humanity together with work at the highest level. I am very grateful!
Best regards, Jörg W.
Dear Prof. Steinschaden, We would like to express how happy we were with the master class and the time we spent in such a beautiful place. Lolwa has learnt a lot from you and this experience has benefited greatly to her piano playing. She is very happy with your approach to teaching and I can see that it is already having a positive effect on her playing. We hope that we will be able to come again. We wish you all the best and that you may have an enjoyable summer. With best wishes, Lolwa & Ofelia
Dear Georg, I arrived home safely after a pleasant journey. I now need some time to process all the new impressions, conversations and inspiration. For me it was once again a wonderful “holiday with a learning experience”, as I always call it. You are a wonderful teacher, and I thank you for everything! All the best to you and warmest regards.
Yours, Ursula
I would once again like to thank you very warmly, also on Nicolas’s behalf, for the wonderful music week. Despite some initial homesickness and stomach problems, Nicolas absorbed so many new things and learned an enormous amount during those few days. I would never have thought that so much could be achieved in such a short time. In fact, he has developed a much closer relationship with the piano and is now able to play his pieces with many more nuances, subtleties and an entirely new understanding. He thoroughly enjoyed his lessons with you and always told us about them with great enthusiasm. The choice of his roommate Shane was a perfect match, and the two got along wonderfully from the very beginning; our families will certainly remain in contact. I am already very curious to hear what Nicolas’s Italian teacher Marco Busetta will think when they resume their studies in September. Nicolas will then also have to pass his entrance examination for the second academic year. The Youth Course in Zell was extremely well organised, and the enthusiasm at the final concert demonstrated just how much heart all the young musicians and teachers had put into the week. For Nicolas and for us as parents, it was a great honour that he was given the opportunity to perform on this occasion. Nicolas loves playing for an audience, so this moment was a very special reward for him. I am certain that he will be delighted to return to you in the coming years. Warmest regards, Inga H.
With this email, I would once again like to thank you very warmly – especially on Shane’s behalf – for the wonderful week with you. Shane was extremely happy and did not want to go home at all. For us as parents, it was lovely to see how comfortable and happy he felt. He really enjoyed everything: the other children, the castle, the food, all the music and, above all, the lessons. For the first time, Shane had the opportunity to be taught by other teachers. That was also a valuable experience for him. Being allowed to perform at the final concert was then the icing on the cake. For him, it was wonderful that something like this exists. He loves music very much, and with you everything was filled with music. He returned home completely fulfilled. It is only a pity that it lasts just one week. Shane definitely wants to come back next year – and we will probably not be able to refuse him that wish :-) Warmest regards,
John and Susanne
Naemi and we, her parents, would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all the teachers most sincerely for this successful week. Naemi gave us a very detailed account of her impressions and experiences and also drew her own personal conclusions from the week. She will take many valuable experiences away with her, both musically and personally. She learned a great deal and also received the motivation she needs for the future. In addition, there are all the new acquaintances and friendships that will continue beyond the course. The memories of this intensive week in all its many facets will certainly stay with her in a very positive way. Naemi is already considering taking part in another course next year.
...from the very first to the very last second, the time in Zell an der Pram was filled with musical enthusiasm and an infectious passion for music! Vincenta learned so much during this week, both musically and personally, and I thank you for giving her the opportunity and the chance to develop further and also to demonstrate what she had achieved. I observed that she also grew as a person; she has been different since that week – no less childlike, but even more open and attentive. She has discovered what the world can offer and has also made friends with many children. We very much hope that our path will lead us back to Zell an der Pram next year. Heartfelt thanks to the outstanding teachers and to you for the TOP organisation of an unforgettable week.
Heidi Prüger, Vincenta and family
...we would all like to thank you for the course in which my children participated. The children are absolutely delighted, the organisation was undoubtedly perfect, and in summary we can say that it was an unforgettable experience. Musically, the course introduced the children to many new ideas, as some of the methodology was entirely new to them. The children also came into contact with other young people and have made friendships they would like to maintain. Overall, it was certainly an important step forward for them; for both of them the week was a truly special event. Both are already planning to attend the course again next year.
The Cuenca Sánchez family from Spain
...I would like to thank you very warmly for the wonderful camp in July. My teacher, Ms Gunter-Thalhammer, was able to give me many valuable tips, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the camp. I will definitely come back next year.
Filippa Mayer
...Dear Georg, First of all, our heartfelt thanks for this wonderful week that Pascale was able to spend with you! It is wonderful to see how completely at ease and happy a child can feel in this environment, and the effects are still lasting – she sings all day long, wonderful!!
Ralf M.
...and so I must once again thank you very, very much for the past week! It was a wonderful working atmosphere with so many lovely people whom I have grown very fond of. This will certainly not have been my last course in Zell... Wishing you another wonderful and successful week, Carla Luise.
...I was in Zell an der Pram in september at the master class; I brought Chopin 12 etudes op 10. I played them last friday at a concert and they were good enough. I thank you for all very useful suggestions for the etudes. I'm playing again on 11 of december at the conservatory of Florence. I hope to return at the master class because it was a really good experience! Tanti cari saluti, Margot
...It was a great joy. I was able to work on exactly what I wanted to focus on, namely tone, sound and breathing. In these areas I really feel that I made significant progress. In addition, I was able to learn an enormous amount simply by listening to and watching you demonstrate. I also played with Fausto every day, which was wonderful. What I have learned is also extremely valuable for my own teaching. Thank you for your musical language, which I understand so well. Angelika
I thoroughly enjoyed the course with you! The week was very productive for me because you were able to give me new approaches, particularly with regard to sound. I am already looking forward to the beginning of the university term, when I hope to be able to put what I learned into practice soon. Thank you for the wonderful week, and whenever you give another course, I would love to take part again!
Lisa
Your teaching was inspiring because I rediscovered so much of yoga in your approach. Since the week in Zell an der Pram, I have been extremely motivated and am actually playing every day to see whether, with this new approach, I can finally achieve a beautiful, clear and gentle tone.
Irene
Hello Francesca, the course was simply a dream for me. My tone and embouchure improved considerably. I found the story about sound particularly fascinating – the image of warm bathwater running down my back, and the exercise where I could feel in my abdomen how to breathe correctly and effectively. I also found the proper contact between the floor and the feet (the red board) very helpful. I simply loved the way you used different images and methods to explain improvements in my playing. This allowed me to visualise things much more clearly and made it much easier for me to put them into practice. I really, really enjoyed playing in the ensemble. I am already looking forward to another course with you next summer, either at AMC or somewhere else.
Lisa
I really enjoyed the week again! There is one experience I have every time I bring a piece to you: I think I know it well, and yet when I work on it with you, I always have the feeling that new and unexpected dimensions suddenly open up. Spaces that I had never noticed before and to which I could only discover access with your help. What I also appreciate very much about your way of teaching is that, on the one hand, you have very clear and precise ideas about what you want, while at the same time being extremely kind and supportive. Perhaps this is also an opportunity for me to tell you how important my very first course with you was for me: You made me feel that you believed what I was doing was good, and little by little I was able to believe it myself and discovered how this belief made my playing better. For me, this had an impact far beyond flute playing. It gave me self-confidence and self-assurance in many other areas of my life as well, and there is so much that I can transfer from flute playing to other areas of life. For this I am deeply grateful to you!
Michael
…I would like to thank you very much for the Handel-Mozart Scholarship and definitely wanted to report back to you about how my journey to Upper Austria and Schloss Zell an der Pram went. The Austrian Master Classes take place at the Upper Austrian State Education Centre in Schloss Zell. There I received wonderful violin lessons from Professor Steinschaden, played in the orchestra and sang in the choir, while we used the time in between for practising. We spent almost the entire day making music, but it was wonderful – I learned a great deal and had a lot of fun. It became a wonderful stay at the castle with many lovely fellow musicians, good food and friendly supervision. A workshop concert took place on Friday, at which all participants performed, which meant that it lasted several hours. On the final day, I was then allowed to show what I had learned during the week at the grand final concert in the festival hall. This was a very special experience for me; the hall is beautiful and the acoustics are wonderful. It was sad to have to return home again after one week. Thank you once again for making this journey and this experience possible for me.
Caroline
…thank you very much for the positive experiences I was able to have at your masterclasses, particularly with Emil, David and Peter, as well as with several of the participants.
Claus
…once again I would like to thank you most sincerely for the truly wonderful music week our daughters were able to spend with you. Both were completely happy and satisfied in every respect, and so were we as parents. You offer the children not only music, but so much more: genuine friendships were formed, and an atmosphere developed that is truly unique. If at all possible, we would very much like to take part again next year…
...I would once again like to thank you warmly for all the effort involved in organising an event such as last week’s masterclasses in Zell. I took away a wealth of inspiration – not only from Barbara, but also from you and Florian – that will give me much to think about and, provided I practise diligently, will hopefully improve my piano playing in the medium term. I look back with great pleasure not only on the serious engagement with music, but also on the cheerful evenings, which provided the necessary contrast and transformed the masterclasses into a kind of total work of art. I am already looking forward to next year’s course!
Peter
…I just wanted to thank you once again for the wonderful week! I met some very lovely new people and learned an enormous amount! I am already looking forward to next year :)
Johanna
...it was a fantastic course in Zell!!! I received so much new inspiration. I will definitely recommend it to others!
Brigitte
…I can only agree with Brigitte – it was a really fantastic week. I learned a great deal, received lots of new input and now know which direction to take... :-) ...and, almost as a bonus, I also made some very nice new contacts!
Carina
...First of all I would like to thank you very, very much for CD from the final concert in Zell an der Pram, it's great that I have it to remember about wonderful time I spent there durings the Master Classes. Anyway, I would like to tell you that I consider this time one of my greatest musical experiences. It was amazing to meet all those people who just love music and singing. For me it was a lesson of real passion and ethusiasm. I'm very greatful for your big heart and professionalism. I wish You and the participants all the best! Best greetings from Poland,
Kasia Otczyk
...Hello Andreas! We would like to thank you for this week, during which we were once again able to learn so much! A wonderful time is coming to an end once again, and hopefully we will see each other again soon in Zell an der Pram.
Maria and Judith
...I also wanted to thank you once again for the intensive work. It is only now, while studying my new pieces, that I realise just how much those few hours really achieved and how much I learned.
Gerhard from Germany
...Hello, I returned yesterday from this masterclass and I am absolutely delighted and deeply impressed. The vocal professors and accompanists were fantastic. I will definitely do this again. The main focus was on technique – but also on interpretation. We had 30 minutes of tuition every day: one day accompaniment and, in the afternoon, a voice lesson with accompanist; the next day a voice lesson without accompanist (purely technical work), then again with accompanist; a workshop concert and a final concert. For me, everything was just right. You learned an enormous amount; for me, the main aim of the course was to develop my technique further – and that is exactly what I did. My teacher there was Professor Ulrike Sych from Vienna. You had the feeling that she could do everything – working equally well with ambitious amateurs and professionals. And simply spending five days doing nothing but music was fantastic. After dinner, someone would just say, “The Magic Flute at such-and-such a time in Hall X” – and off we went. Brilliant. The accompaniment was excellent too – my pianist was a genius, able to play eleven operas from memory and currently studying conducting with Harnoncourt in Vienna.
giorgio – vocal forum
...Hello :) I want to thank you about the opporunity to take part in the concerts in Italy. It was a wonderful experience. Everything was perfect - the people , the concerts .... It was abolutely great!
Yuilia aus Bulgarien
..it has now been almost a week since the Masterclasses ended, but the burst of motivation is still going strong!! I just wanted to tell you quickly that I am absolutely thrilled with the course and with Maestro Rybin, and to thank you most sincerely for making it all possible!! I am already looking forward to next year and would love to register right away! Warmest greetings from Bern and all the best,
Anne-Catherine from Switzerland
...I'm mother of Lilia from Bulgaria, who was participant in Piano Master Class in Zell an der Pram. I want to express my thankfulness for the good arangement of the master class in this beautiful place (from where we so many photos). Lilia came back from Austria enthusiastic and with even more desire to play. Thank you from her and my name and wish you health and great success in music career...
Elena from Bulgaria
...I wanted to say that, above all, the sense of human community at the courses in Zell has become very important to me. “Your” teachers in Zell shape this atmosphere, and above all they share one particular quality: they regard every student, regardless of level, as a person of equal value and accept them as an independent musician. In this way, each teacher is able, in his or her own way, to help the students enormously along their individual paths. The week in Zell has now become a permanent part of life for me, and also for Anja, and we very much hope to return again next year.
Anja & Ulrich from Germany
...we would once again like to thank you for the wonderful week at Schloss Zell an der Pram. We had a great deal of fun and learned a lot at the same time. This is, of course, due in large part to our wonderful teachers, so I would ask you to pass on our warmest praise and thanks to them as well. I would be particularly delighted if I could take part in one of the piano courses next year.
Anna-Maria and Stephanie from Austria
...I want to thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to attend your master classes this past week. We had such a great time and learned so much. We are already discussing plans to return next year; so please let us know the details as soon as they are made.
Glo from USA
...I would also like to thank you for the course. I felt completely at ease and returned home feeling like a new person.
Denes from Hungary
...thank you for the wonderful time, we spent in Zell an der Pram. Anja is very confident with everything, she has learned a lot and had such a good time with her new friends.
Brina aus Polen
...after two years away from your courses, our children are beginning to show “withdrawal symptoms”. Both have meanwhile won first national prizes in the German Jugend musiziert competition and have attended many masterclasses in Germany and abroad. Both agree, however, that Zell has been the best so far.
Mother of Lars & Sebastian from Germany
...we want to express our thankfulness for you to have organized such a good program for young pre-musicians eraly this month. We did enjoy a good time in Zell a.d. Pram.
Ms. Wang from Korea
...I would once again like to thank you most sincerely for the wonderful and inspiring days Corinna spent at Schloss Zell an der Pram. Your lessons in particular made a profound impression on Corinna – she could hardly stop talking about them afterwards.
Mother of Corinna, GermanyDear Professor Steinschaden!
On behalf of our children Lisa and Lorenz, we would once again like to thank you for the wonderful masterclass last week! We have received nothing but positive feedback from our children, and both of them thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the week – the lessons, the food, and also the company of the other children. For Lorenz in particular, it was a wonderful experience to share a room for a week with two like-minded pianists. As a pianist, one usually spends a great deal of time working alone, and he does not often have the opportunity to meet boys his age who share the same interests.
A heartfelt thank you for everything this week has given our children, and our sincere thanks to everyone involved.
Kind regards, Regina and Thomas Tatschl and family
...Dear Univ.Prof. Georg Steinschaden, Could you let me express my sincere gratitude for your hosting the AMC course.Anna has made a lot of progress since joining. This is the best music course we have ever taken. Not only has her piano level improved significantly, but even her relatively elementary second instrument, violin, has become the first violinist of the school orchestra as soon as she returned to school. Vivian (Annas mother)...
Wonderful. We are so happy with everything. Excellent communication, a week full of music for Greta, and first-class teaching! She looks forward to it all year long!! Best regards, N. Rütjes
The Austrian Master Classes were the first international masterclass I had ever attended. They gave me a wealth of new experiences, encounters and insights. The extensive and fascinating lessons with my teacher Kim-Ozim, the opportunity to observe lessons with other teachers, and the additional courses offered gave me a new perspective on professional musical work. I learned new approaches to practising and felt encouraged in my desire to pursue music at university. Looking back, I particularly remember the wonderful sense of community and the experience of making music together with everyone who was there – whether literally playing together for fun in an ensemble or simply practising side by side in two different practice rooms. The inspiration I received in Ms Kim-Ozim’s lessons, as well as the encounters and exchanges with the other participants, have greatly motivated and inspired me for my future musical path. Leonore Gremm
...Working intensively every day for an entire week helped me make enormous progress. Since both Francesca Canali and our accompanist Fausto Quintaba come from Italy, we even had one lesson entirely in Italian! As I am learning the language at school, this was another wonderful experience. The weather at the beginning of September was very pleasant, and the picturesque surroundings were perfect for walks and spending time outdoors together during our free time. I also greatly enjoyed the opportunity to sit in on other lessons. A highlight, of course, was the final concert, in which I performed both as a soloist and in an ensemble. Despite Covid, it was well attended and therefore offered a wonderful opportunity to perform. This is a fantastic opportunity for young musicians preparing for university-level music studies! Thank you very much! Alma Čermak
Good morning Dear Georg, We would like to thank you for orginising fantastic event - Masterclasses "camp". Our son Linas really loved it and enjoyed very much every single day. Location, rooms, atmosphere, people, food, classes with David, after classes activity - everything. Linas was very happy after last years Masterclasses event, but this year he was even more happy. So we (parents) are also very happy and hope we will be able to come back next year again. I think you are doing a great and very important job, we really appreciate it and are gratefull to you personaly and whole your team. Looking forward to see you next year again, Take care and stay well, Tadas (Linas father)
Dear Professor Steinschaden, it has already been a few days since the Youth Course in Zell came to an end – much to my daughter Sara’s regret..... “I would so love to go back to the castle” – that is a sentence I now hear several times a day :-) In short, the week was a complete success! Sara felt completely at home (...and she also got along wonderfully with her roommate Sofia). She absolutely loved the lessons and learned so many new things – both with you at the piano and in her cello lessons. She is now highly motivated to continue practising and consolidating everything she learned at home. (P.S.: I have no idea how you managed it – but something her piano teacher here has been telling Sara for ages – namely to practise slowly and carefully – she is finally taking to heart. That alone made the whole experience worthwhile!) Thank you so much for the wonderful time Sara was able to spend with you at the Easter Camp!
Petra P.
...I am already looking forward to having another wonderful week like this to look forward to next year. I truly enjoyed it very, very much. This was due to a.) the location, b.) the people and c.) the teacher/accompanist team, who worked together in such perfect harmony.
Sandra D.
...we would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your entire team very warmly for allowing Joseph to spend such an interesting, educational and enjoyable week with all of you. Full of fresh inspiration and highly motivated, he is now working on putting everything he learned into practice.
Dear Professor Steinschaden, Hannah once again thoroughly enjoyed the Summer Camp and undoubtedly benefited greatly from it. At the final concert, it was wonderful to see how much joy and dedication had gone into the work throughout the week and how valuable the organisation of events such as these truly is. A heartfelt thank you to you, and warmest congratulations!
Dear Mr Steinschaden, now that we are back in Spain, we would like to thank you very warmly for the wonderful farewell concert on Saturday. Our daughter Malena returned home full of musical impressions and highly motivated to continue pursuing her goals. According to Malena, she learned more during the past four days than in the previous four years. We consider this a great compliment to your work and would once again like to thank you most sincerely for your masterclasses.
Gesine, Timo and Malena
Dear Mr Steinschaden, Now that the holidays are over, Sara Giulia will return to school tomorrow enriched by so many wonderful experiences and impressions. I would once again like to thank you most sincerely for all the wonderful moments my daughter was able to experience in Zell. Sara was delighted and returned home full of motivation. I know that Sara is not an exceptional prodigy, nor does she intend to place all her hopes on one single path. This made it all the more of an honour for her to have the opportunity to take part at Schloss Zell.
Dear Professor Steinschaden, we are delighted that Nada returned from the Summer Camp so enthusiastic and highly motivated. She felt completely at home and would happily have stayed even longer. Although this was the first time she had been away from home on her own, she was never homesick and did not feel any need for parental support. Thank you for the outstanding work that you and your team have done.
Dear Professor Steinschaden, your Youth Camp gave our daughter not only a completely new experience of making music, but also some very valuable new friendships. It is also wonderful to see the enthusiasm Francesca Canali inspires among the young flautists through the various projects. Julia is already very much looking forward to the next Youth Camp, and we are looking forward to it with her. Thank you very much for your valuable work!
Dear Mr Steinschaden, my daughter Johanna attended the Summer Camp for young pianists in August and had lessons with you. Now, six months later, I wanted to give you some feedback on how things have developed since then. Johanna came to the Summer Camp with pieces that she could only play rather roughly at the time. She returned home highly motivated. The biggest change was that she now expresses far more emotion in her piano playing. She says that this was something you repeatedly “asked for” and encouraged, although she was not yet able to show it very well while she was in Austria. Last weekend she took part once again in the Jugend musiziert competition and won first prize with 21 points. As parents, we were delighted that she accepted this challenge, mastered it so successfully and performed her pieces with so much feeling. Now we are enjoying working on new repertoire. Thank you very much for your work and for everything you invest in Johanna and in the many children and young people who attend your camps. It truly makes a difference!
Dear Mr Steinschaden, we would once again like to thank you for the wonderful time Lisa was able to spend with you at the Easter Camp. She enjoyed it immensely, and it also awakened a new love for her instrument. Of course, it was also a very special experience for Lisa to be taught personally by you. We would therefore already like to reserve Lisa’s place for the next Easter Camp.
Dear Professor Steinschaden, the regional youth music competition organised by Sparkasse Markgräfler Land took place here at the weekend. All our children performed twice, all of them also playing piano: Meike in a duo with a violist, Matthias in a trio with two other young oboists, and Martin and Moritz in a trumpet/horn duo. Three years ago, their piano performances were very much in the “also-ran” category. This year, things looked completely different: the boys each won a first prize, and Meike won a second prize!! This is a very direct result of the work in Zell and of the motivation and inspiration they receive there. I have always said so, but now it has become, in a sense, “measurable”. Of course, they did not play “perfectly” and were themselves unsure after their performances how they had been received, but clearly they convinced the jury. It was fantastic! Our thanks to you, Conny, Mr Genin and everyone else involved in making these camps so wonderful!
Good morning, first of all, thank you very much for the experience my daughter had at Zell am Pram: her stay has been very useful and we hope she will come back the next year.
Dear Prof. Steinschaden, I am Micheles mother. Michele was at Zell an der Pram in the previuos week, from 21st to 28th August. With this letter I would like to thank you for the wonderful experience you gave to my kid. Michele was enthusiast. Perhaps he will not become a pianist in his furute profession, but I think he will remember forever his week at the Schloss. With best regards from Milano
Dear Mr Frotscher, thank you for sending the article. Alexandra truly benefited greatly from this course and received a wealth of new inspiration. Afterwards, even while we were on holiday in Italy, she practised the violin every day despite the intense heat. We were also delighted by the surroundings and the wonderful atmosphere there. Thank you once again for this fantastic opportunity! Warm regards, Angela Grohmann (mother of Alexandra, one of the winners of the Handel-Mozart Scholarship in Halle)
I would like to get in touch once again after the vocal course in Zell to thank you. What struck me particularly – and this was something I repeatedly heard in conversations with other participants – was how pleasant the working atmosphere is. The teachers I observed, regardless of how distinguished they may be, work with every participant at his or her individual level. There are no disparaging remarks, no humiliating anyone, no impatience or rudeness. This seems to be part of the course’s “corporate design” or perhaps simply the result of your excellent choice of teachers – and we participants notice this consciously and appreciate it very much. The fact that the level of teaching is simultaneously extremely high and that everyone is encouraged and challenged right up to the limits of their abilities makes it all the better. You have therefore achieved a wonderful combination: supportive humanity together with work at the highest level. I am very grateful!
Best regards, Jörg W.
Dear Prof. Steinschaden, We would like to express how happy we were with the master class and the time we spent in such a beautiful place. Lolwa has learnt a lot from you and this experience has benefited greatly to her piano playing. She is very happy with your approach to teaching and I can see that it is already having a positive effect on her playing. We hope that we will be able to come again. We wish you all the best and that you may have an enjoyable summer. With best wishes, Lolwa & Ofelia
Dear Georg, I arrived home safely after a pleasant journey. I now need some time to process all the new impressions, conversations and inspiration. For me it was once again a wonderful “holiday with a learning experience”, as I always call it. You are a wonderful teacher, and I thank you for everything! All the best to you and warmest regards.
Yours, Ursula
I would once again like to thank you very warmly, also on Nicolas’s behalf, for the wonderful music week. Despite some initial homesickness and stomach problems, Nicolas absorbed so many new things and learned an enormous amount during those few days. I would never have thought that so much could be achieved in such a short time. In fact, he has developed a much closer relationship with the piano and is now able to play his pieces with many more nuances, subtleties and an entirely new understanding. He thoroughly enjoyed his lessons with you and always told us about them with great enthusiasm. The choice of his roommate Shane was a perfect match, and the two got along wonderfully from the very beginning; our families will certainly remain in contact. I am already very curious to hear what Nicolas’s Italian teacher Marco Busetta will think when they resume their studies in September. Nicolas will then also have to pass his entrance examination for the second academic year. The Youth Course in Zell was extremely well organised, and the enthusiasm at the final concert demonstrated just how much heart all the young musicians and teachers had put into the week. For Nicolas and for us as parents, it was a great honour that he was given the opportunity to perform on this occasion. Nicolas loves playing for an audience, so this moment was a very special reward for him. I am certain that he will be delighted to return to you in the coming years. Warmest regards, Inga H.
With this email, I would once again like to thank you very warmly – especially on Shane’s behalf – for the wonderful week with you. Shane was extremely happy and did not want to go home at all. For us as parents, it was lovely to see how comfortable and happy he felt. He really enjoyed everything: the other children, the castle, the food, all the music and, above all, the lessons. For the first time, Shane had the opportunity to be taught by other teachers. That was also a valuable experience for him. Being allowed to perform at the final concert was then the icing on the cake. For him, it was wonderful that something like this exists. He loves music very much, and with you everything was filled with music. He returned home completely fulfilled. It is only a pity that it lasts just one week. Shane definitely wants to come back next year – and we will probably not be able to refuse him that wish :-) Warmest regards,
John and Susanne
Naemi and we, her parents, would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all the teachers most sincerely for this successful week. Naemi gave us a very detailed account of her impressions and experiences and also drew her own personal conclusions from the week. She will take many valuable experiences away with her, both musically and personally. She learned a great deal and also received the motivation she needs for the future. In addition, there are all the new acquaintances and friendships that will continue beyond the course. The memories of this intensive week in all its many facets will certainly stay with her in a very positive way. Naemi is already considering taking part in another course next year.
...from the very first to the very last second, the time in Zell an der Pram was filled with musical enthusiasm and an infectious passion for music! Vincenta learned so much during this week, both musically and personally, and I thank you for giving her the opportunity and the chance to develop further and also to demonstrate what she had achieved. I observed that she also grew as a person; she has been different since that week – no less childlike, but even more open and attentive. She has discovered what the world can offer and has also made friends with many children. We very much hope that our path will lead us back to Zell an der Pram next year. Heartfelt thanks to the outstanding teachers and to you for the TOP organisation of an unforgettable week.
Heidi Prüger, Vincenta and family
...we would all like to thank you for the course in which my children participated. The children are absolutely delighted, the organisation was undoubtedly perfect, and in summary we can say that it was an unforgettable experience. Musically, the course introduced the children to many new ideas, as some of the methodology was entirely new to them. The children also came into contact with other young people and have made friendships they would like to maintain. Overall, it was certainly an important step forward for them; for both of them the week was a truly special event. Both are already planning to attend the course again next year.
The Cuenca Sánchez family from Spain
...I would like to thank you very warmly for the wonderful camp in July. My teacher, Ms Gunter-Thalhammer, was able to give me many valuable tips, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the camp. I will definitely come back next year.
Filippa Mayer
...Dear Georg, First of all, our heartfelt thanks for this wonderful week that Pascale was able to spend with you! It is wonderful to see how completely at ease and happy a child can feel in this environment, and the effects are still lasting – she sings all day long, wonderful!!
Ralf M.
...and so I must once again thank you very, very much for the past week! It was a wonderful working atmosphere with so many lovely people whom I have grown very fond of. This will certainly not have been my last course in Zell... Wishing you another wonderful and successful week, Carla Luise.
...I was in Zell an der Pram in september at the master class; I brought Chopin 12 etudes op 10. I played them last friday at a concert and they were good enough. I thank you for all very useful suggestions for the etudes. I'm playing again on 11 of december at the conservatory of Florence. I hope to return at the master class because it was a really good experience! Tanti cari saluti, Margot
...It was a great joy. I was able to work on exactly what I wanted to focus on, namely tone, sound and breathing. In these areas I really feel that I made significant progress. In addition, I was able to learn an enormous amount simply by listening to and watching you demonstrate. I also played with Fausto every day, which was wonderful. What I have learned is also extremely valuable for my own teaching. Thank you for your musical language, which I understand so well. Angelika
I thoroughly enjoyed the course with you! The week was very productive for me because you were able to give me new approaches, particularly with regard to sound. I am already looking forward to the beginning of the university term, when I hope to be able to put what I learned into practice soon. Thank you for the wonderful week, and whenever you give another course, I would love to take part again!
Lisa
Your teaching was inspiring because I rediscovered so much of yoga in your approach. Since the week in Zell an der Pram, I have been extremely motivated and am actually playing every day to see whether, with this new approach, I can finally achieve a beautiful, clear and gentle tone.
Irene
Hello Francesca, the course was simply a dream for me. My tone and embouchure improved considerably. I found the story about sound particularly fascinating – the image of warm bathwater running down my back, and the exercise where I could feel in my abdomen how to breathe correctly and effectively. I also found the proper contact between the floor and the feet (the red board) very helpful. I simply loved the way you used different images and methods to explain improvements in my playing. This allowed me to visualise things much more clearly and made it much easier for me to put them into practice. I really, really enjoyed playing in the ensemble. I am already looking forward to another course with you next summer, either at AMC or somewhere else.
Lisa
I really enjoyed the week again! There is one experience I have every time I bring a piece to you: I think I know it well, and yet when I work on it with you, I always have the feeling that new and unexpected dimensions suddenly open up. Spaces that I had never noticed before and to which I could only discover access with your help. What I also appreciate very much about your way of teaching is that, on the one hand, you have very clear and precise ideas about what you want, while at the same time being extremely kind and supportive. Perhaps this is also an opportunity for me to tell you how important my very first course with you was for me: You made me feel that you believed what I was doing was good, and little by little I was able to believe it myself and discovered how this belief made my playing better. For me, this had an impact far beyond flute playing. It gave me self-confidence and self-assurance in many other areas of my life as well, and there is so much that I can transfer from flute playing to other areas of life. For this I am deeply grateful to you!
Michael
…I would like to thank you very much for the Handel-Mozart Scholarship and definitely wanted to report back to you about how my journey to Upper Austria and Schloss Zell an der Pram went. The Austrian Master Classes take place at the Upper Austrian State Education Centre in Schloss Zell. There I received wonderful violin lessons from Professor Steinschaden, played in the orchestra and sang in the choir, while we used the time in between for practising. We spent almost the entire day making music, but it was wonderful – I learned a great deal and had a lot of fun. It became a wonderful stay at the castle with many lovely fellow musicians, good food and friendly supervision. A workshop concert took place on Friday, at which all participants performed, which meant that it lasted several hours. On the final day, I was then allowed to show what I had learned during the week at the grand final concert in the festival hall. This was a very special experience for me; the hall is beautiful and the acoustics are wonderful. It was sad to have to return home again after one week. Thank you once again for making this journey and this experience possible for me.
Caroline
…thank you very much for the positive experiences I was able to have at your masterclasses, particularly with Emil, David and Peter, as well as with several of the participants.
Claus
…once again I would like to thank you most sincerely for the truly wonderful music week our daughters were able to spend with you. Both were completely happy and satisfied in every respect, and so were we as parents. You offer the children not only music, but so much more: genuine friendships were formed, and an atmosphere developed that is truly unique. If at all possible, we would very much like to take part again next year…
...I would once again like to thank you warmly for all the effort involved in organising an event such as last week’s masterclasses in Zell. I took away a wealth of inspiration – not only from Barbara, but also from you and Florian – that will give me much to think about and, provided I practise diligently, will hopefully improve my piano playing in the medium term. I look back with great pleasure not only on the serious engagement with music, but also on the cheerful evenings, which provided the necessary contrast and transformed the masterclasses into a kind of total work of art. I am already looking forward to next year’s course!
Peter
…I just wanted to thank you once again for the wonderful week! I met some very lovely new people and learned an enormous amount! I am already looking forward to next year :)
Johanna
...it was a fantastic course in Zell!!! I received so much new inspiration. I will definitely recommend it to others!
Brigitte
…I can only agree with Brigitte – it was a really fantastic week. I learned a great deal, received lots of new input and now know which direction to take... :-) ...and, almost as a bonus, I also made some very nice new contacts!
Carina
...First of all I would like to thank you very, very much for CD from the final concert in Zell an der Pram, it's great that I have it to remember about wonderful time I spent there durings the Master Classes. Anyway, I would like to tell you that I consider this time one of my greatest musical experiences. It was amazing to meet all those people who just love music and singing. For me it was a lesson of real passion and ethusiasm. I'm very greatful for your big heart and professionalism. I wish You and the participants all the best! Best greetings from Poland,
Kasia Otczyk
...Hello Andreas! We would like to thank you for this week, during which we were once again able to learn so much! A wonderful time is coming to an end once again, and hopefully we will see each other again soon in Zell an der Pram.
Maria and Judith
...I also wanted to thank you once again for the intensive work. It is only now, while studying my new pieces, that I realise just how much those few hours really achieved and how much I learned.
Gerhard from Germany
...Hello, I returned yesterday from this masterclass and I am absolutely delighted and deeply impressed. The vocal professors and accompanists were fantastic. I will definitely do this again. The main focus was on technique – but also on interpretation. We had 30 minutes of tuition every day: one day accompaniment and, in the afternoon, a voice lesson with accompanist; the next day a voice lesson without accompanist (purely technical work), then again with accompanist; a workshop concert and a final concert. For me, everything was just right. You learned an enormous amount; for me, the main aim of the course was to develop my technique further – and that is exactly what I did. My teacher there was Professor Ulrike Sych from Vienna. You had the feeling that she could do everything – working equally well with ambitious amateurs and professionals. And simply spending five days doing nothing but music was fantastic. After dinner, someone would just say, “The Magic Flute at such-and-such a time in Hall X” – and off we went. Brilliant. The accompaniment was excellent too – my pianist was a genius, able to play eleven operas from memory and currently studying conducting with Harnoncourt in Vienna.
giorgio – vocal forum
...Hello :) I want to thank you about the opporunity to take part in the concerts in Italy. It was a wonderful experience. Everything was perfect - the people , the concerts .... It was abolutely great!
Yuilia aus Bulgarien
..it has now been almost a week since the Masterclasses ended, but the burst of motivation is still going strong!! I just wanted to tell you quickly that I am absolutely thrilled with the course and with Maestro Rybin, and to thank you most sincerely for making it all possible!! I am already looking forward to next year and would love to register right away! Warmest greetings from Bern and all the best,
Anne-Catherine from Switzerland
...I'm mother of Lilia from Bulgaria, who was participant in Piano Master Class in Zell an der Pram. I want to express my thankfulness for the good arangement of the master class in this beautiful place (from where we so many photos). Lilia came back from Austria enthusiastic and with even more desire to play. Thank you from her and my name and wish you health and great success in music career...
Elena from Bulgaria
...I wanted to say that, above all, the sense of human community at the courses in Zell has become very important to me. “Your” teachers in Zell shape this atmosphere, and above all they share one particular quality: they regard every student, regardless of level, as a person of equal value and accept them as an independent musician. In this way, each teacher is able, in his or her own way, to help the students enormously along their individual paths. The week in Zell has now become a permanent part of life for me, and also for Anja, and we very much hope to return again next year.
Anja & Ulrich from Germany
...we would once again like to thank you for the wonderful week at Schloss Zell an der Pram. We had a great deal of fun and learned a lot at the same time. This is, of course, due in large part to our wonderful teachers, so I would ask you to pass on our warmest praise and thanks to them as well. I would be particularly delighted if I could take part in one of the piano courses next year.
Anna-Maria and Stephanie from Austria
...I want to thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to attend your master classes this past week. We had such a great time and learned so much. We are already discussing plans to return next year; so please let us know the details as soon as they are made.
Glo from USA
...I would also like to thank you for the course. I felt completely at ease and returned home feeling like a new person.
Denes from Hungary
...thank you for the wonderful time, we spent in Zell an der Pram. Anja is very confident with everything, she has learned a lot and had such a good time with her new friends.
Brina aus Polen
...after two years away from your courses, our children are beginning to show “withdrawal symptoms”. Both have meanwhile won first national prizes in the German Jugend musiziert competition and have attended many masterclasses in Germany and abroad. Both agree, however, that Zell has been the best so far.
Mother of Lars & Sebastian from Germany
...we want to express our thankfulness for you to have organized such a good program for young pre-musicians eraly this month. We did enjoy a good time in Zell a.d. Pram.
Ms. Wang from Korea
...I would once again like to thank you most sincerely for the wonderful and inspiring days Corinna spent at Schloss Zell an der Pram. Your lessons in particular made a profound impression on Corinna – she could hardly stop talking about them afterwards.
Mother of Corinna, Germany
