Shenzhen Verbier Festival Masterclasses 2026
Shenzhen Concert Hall · 31 January – 8 February 2026
Seven masterclasses led by some of today’s most inspiring artists: Timothy Ridout, Marc Bouchkov, Gautier Capuçon, Mischa Maisky, Janine Jansen and Minsoo Sohn — plus Gábor Takács-Nagy, Music Director of the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra.
Open to musicians aged 14 – 26 from the Asia–Pacific region.
Applications close 28 December 2025 (23:59 China Standard Time).
Artists, Venue & Dates
Masterclasses will take place at the Shenzhen Concert Hall Theatre Studio and are open to the public with a modest admission fee.
All masterclasses begins at 15:00.
31 January – Timothy Ridout viola
1 February – Marc Bouchkov violin
2 February – Gautier Capuçon cello
4 February – Gábor Takács-Nagy Beethoven sonatas (violin or cello)
5 February – Mischa Maisky cello
7 February – Janine Jansen violin
8 February – Minsoo Sohn piano
Apply Now
Please read the guidelines on this page carefully before beginning your application.
Application Deadline : 28 December 2025
Guidelines
THE LANGUAGE OF APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION IS ENGLISH.
A Mandarin translation of the guidelines is available for reference and can be downloaded here.
ELIGIBILTY
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
REPERTOIRE
SELF-PRESENTATION VIDEO
APPLICATION FEE
WHAT SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS RECEIVE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS
ACCOMPANYING PERSONS (INCLUDING PARENTS/GUARDIANS)
MEDIA RELEASE AUTHORISATION
IMPORTANT DATES
QUESTIONS
eligibility
Applicants must be between 14 and 26 years old as of 31 January 2026.
Applicants must reside or study in the Asia–Pacific region.
This includes countries and territories across East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Applicants must have a working knowledge of English and be able to communicate with the teaching artist in that language.
All applications must be submitted via the Acceptd platform.
Applications will open at 17:00 (China Standard Time) on 26 November 2025 and will close on 28 December 2025 23:59 (China Standard Time),
Students applying to several classes may only be selected for one.
application requirements
- Contact Information
- Application Information
- Nationality
- Age
- School/Teacher
- Curriculum Vitae
- You as an Artist
- Short biography (English / optional Mandarin)
- Recommendation letter upload (optional)
- Masterclass Requirements
- Student’s instrument and choice of masterclass(es)
- Repertoire upload
- Self-presentation video
- Documentation
- Photo headshot
- Passport scan
- Parent/Guardian consent (for those under age 18)
- Fee payment by credit card only
repertoire
Applicants must submit/upload a live video recording of the exact work they intend to perform in the masterclass if selected.
General Requirements
-
- Repertoire must consist of one single movement or a short single-movement work (maximum 10–12 minutes).
- Works must be recorded in one take, with no editing, within the last 3 months.
- Videos must be uploaded directly to Acceptd (MP4, MOV, etc.).
- The video must show clear audio and a stable, full view of the performer.
Instrument-specific Guidelines
Strings (violin, viola, cello)
Your chosen work must be composed for:
- solo instrument, or
- instrument + piano
Piano
Your chosen work must be composed for:
- solo piano
Masterclass-specific Repertoire Guidelines
For Gábor Takács-Nagy (Beethoven Sonata Masterclass)
Applicants wishing to be considered for the Gábor Takács-Nagy masterclass must upload:
- One single movement from a Beethoven violin or cello sonata
(violin + piano or cello + piano)
This video is for Takács-Nagy consideration only.
For Marc Bouchkov & Janine Jansen
Applicants must upload one work of their choice (any composer) that meets the general requirements and is composed for:
- solo violin, or
- violin + piano
- Applicants who wish to be considered for the Janine Jansen masterclass may also propose a concerto movement, preferably from Brahms’s Violin Concerto in D major Op. 77.
For Timothy Ridout
Applicants must upload one solo piano work of their choice, composed or arranged for:
- solo viola, or
- viola + piano
For Gautier Capuçon & Mischa Maisky
Applicants must upload one work of their choice (any composer) that meets the general requirements and is composed for:
- solo cello, or
- cello + piano
For Minsoo Sohn
Applicants must upload one solo piano work of their choice that meets the general requirements.
Important Notes
- Applicants may apply for consideration by more than one teacher but will be assigned to only one masterclass if selected.
- If you are applying for both the Gábor Takács-Nagy masterclass and another violin or cello masterclass, and you wish to be considered with the same Beethoven movement, please upload the same video again in the upload section for the other teacher(s).
self-presentation video
A short video (60–90 seconds) in English, telling us:
- Your name
- Your age
- Where you live or study
- Your instrument
- Why you would like to take part in these masterclasses
This video is to help us understand your English level. No professional recording is needed.
application fee
A non-refundable EUR 55 application fee is required for each applicant.
Payment is accepted by credit card only on the Acceptd platform.
All fee income is directed toward the costs of delivering this project.
what successful applicants receive
Successful applicants will be assigned to one masterclass only.
They will receive:
- A 30 to 40 minute lesson with their assigned teacher
- Access to a rehearsal room with piano for up to 3 hours the day before their class
- For string players, a collaborative pianist will be provided if needed (see notes on pianists below)
- For students using a Festival-provided pianist:
- 1 hour rehearsal with the pianist the day before the class
- 30-minute run-through with the pianist on the stage of the masterclass venue immediately prior to the class
- Two nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast; one room with two beds (maximum two people per room)
- Up to two tickets for their own masterclass for guests and/or accompanying persons
- Up to two complimentary tickets for Festival concerts on the evening before and the evening of their masterclass (reservation required; subject to availability)
- A certificate of participation
Important Notes for String Players (Collaborative Pianists)
- String players may bring their own collaborative pianist.
- If they require a Festival-provided pianist, they must confirm this by 11 January 2026 when accepting their place.
- Festival-provided pianists will be engaged and paid by the Verbier Festival Academy.
responsibilities of students
Students are responsible for:
- All travel and visa costs
- All meals and incidentals
- Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
The Shenzhen Verbier Festival assumes no liability for medical incidents, accidents, or lost property.
accompanying persons (including parents/guardians)
Each student may designate one official accompanying person. This person may be a parent, guardian, or (for string players) a collaborative pianist brought by the student.
Students under the age of 18 must designate a parent or legal guardian as their accompanying person.
The official accompanying person may attend:
- The masterclass
- The pianist rehearsal (if applicable)
Please note:
- Only one accompanying person is covered under the benefits listed in What Successful Applicants Receive (shared hotel room, ticket allocations, etc.).
- Any additional family members, friends, or entourage travelling with the student are welcome to attend public Festival events but are considered members of the general public, responsible for their own hotel arrangements, meals, transportation, and ticket purchases.
Communication and Conduct
- All artistic and scheduling communication will be conducted directly with the student, not with the accompanying person.
- Accompanying persons (apart from collaborative pianists brought by the student) are kindly asked not to intervene during teaching sessions, rehearsals, or artistic discussions.
- All accompanying persons and visitors must follow the Festival’s official arrangements and instructions regarding photography, videography, and backstage access.
media release authorisation
By participating in a Shenzhen Verbier Festival masterclass, the student (and parent/guardian, if the student is a minor) grants the Festival the right and permission to photograph and record the student and to use their name, likeness, and performance. These materials may be used, in whole or in part, for legitimate Festival purposes, including publicity, promotion, and reporting, across all media platforms, now and in the future.
important dates
- Application deadline: 28 December 2025 (23:59 China Standard Time)
- Decisions communicated: by 7 January 2026
- Accepted students must confirm participation by: 11 January 2026
- Deadline to confirm collaborative pianist arrangements:
Students must indicate by 11 January 2026 whether:
- they will bring their own collaborative pianist (counts as the student’s one official accompanying person), or
- they require a Festival-provided pianist.
questions
For questions about the application process, please contact: academy@verbierfestival.com