Lied Academy in Prague
Lied Academy: Supporting the Next Generation of Artists
The Lied Academy is an educational program founded by the International Performing Arts Support Association (IPASA), designed for talented young singers and pianists who want to deepen their art of Lied under the guidance of internationally renowned artists. The 4th edition takes place in Prague from 24 to 28 August 2026, at the prestigious HAMU Academy of Performing Arts, with public concerts on 24 August (Opening Concert), 26 August (Chamber Music Concert), and 28 August (Final Concert of Participants) in Baroque Refectory of Professed House. The program goes beyond interpretative technique. It trains artists to perform: to communicate, tell stories, and connect with an audience. Skills that, alongside musical excellence, define a professional career. Each edition also awards a special prize for the best interpretation of a work by Gustav Mahler: an invitation to perform a recital at the international Mahler Festival in Jihlava, the region where the composer was born, and a gateway to new professional connections and future engagements. Since its first edition in 2023, every Lied Academy has welcomed its full cohort of participants from across the world. In the videos below, alumni from previous editions share what the experience meant to them and why they came.
What Makes the Lied Academy Special
Most masterclasses focus on technical skills. The Lied Academy teaches everything it takes to own the stage. Over five intensive days, participants don’t just refine their interpretation of song. They work on stage presence, communication, self-presentation, and the confidence to walk into a professional career. Three internationally renowned lecturers, three completely different perspectives, all focused on the same goal: giving young musicians everything they need to take their next step. But the Lied Academy is more than five days of lessons. Singers and pianists can apply individually or as an established duo. Those who apply individually are paired together during the program, creating new musical partnerships that often outlast the Academy itself. Either way, participants arrive as strangers from across the world and leave with a professional network, new artistic collaborators, and sometimes lifelong colleagues. Every concert is professionally recorded and shared openly, so anyone in the world can experience what happens in Prague. For participants, the Final Concert is also a practical asset: a high-quality video they can use immediately for auditions, applications, and self-promotion. The Lied Academy culminates in a public concert at one of Prague’s most stunning historic venues. A final performance that turns five days of shared work into a single, unforgettable moment.
Why the Lied Academy Needs Your Support
Every year, young singers and pianists from across the world send us a recording — not just of their voice or their hands on the keys, but of their dedication, their years of study, and their dream of becoming professional artists. We select only 16 of them. For five intensive days in Prague, these young talents work with three internationally renowned artists in a program designed to push their craft to the next level — three lessons a day, three different perspectives, one shared passion for the art of song. Keeping this quality comes at a cost. Accommodation in the heart of Prague, meals, professional video recordings, and the presence of three world-class lecturers all add up to far more than we ask participants to pay. We do this deliberately: our mission is to support young talent, and that means making sure that financial barriers never stand between a gifted musician and a transformative experience. This is where you come in. Every contribution directly bridges the gap between what participants can afford and what this program truly costs — and makes it possible for the most talented young artists, regardless of their background, to have a seat in that room.
