Music as a Sanctuary
special edition
A week-long residency festival offers young musicians more than cultural exchange and technical refinement — it provides transformative international encounters to inspire excellence, foster resilience, and promote cross-cultural understanding through music
This collaboration unites 45 outstanding young musicians from Israel, Europe, and the United States for an intensive artistic residency culminating in concerts in Germany and Israel
A special collaboration between the Jerusalem Music Centre, the Althafen Foundation, and the Landesakademie Ochsenhausen, supported by the Embassy of the State of Israel in Germany on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany
about
Dates
October 3rd–12th, 2025
Location
Landesakademie Ochsenhausen (Germany)
Jerusalem Music Center (Israel)
Focus Areas
Classical Music, Cultural Exchange, Career Development, Holocaust Remembrance
Active Members
Jerusalem Music Centre (JMC)
Landesakademie Ochsenhausen
Althafen Foundation
Embassy of the State of Israel in Germany
Mission
To unite young musicians from diverse backgrounds in a shared artistic and cultural experience that promotes excellence, remembrance, and forward-looking career empowerment.
Approach
Participants take part in intensive musical training led by internationally recognized faculty, combined with practical workshops on digital presence, fundraising, and mental resilience. A newly commissioned piece by Udi Perlman, inspired by the music of Josima Feldschuh, is developed and premiered during the program. The festival concludes with concerts in Ochsenhausen and Jerusalem, offering participants real-world performance experience and cross-cultural collaboration.
Impact
Music as a Sanctuary builds cross-cultural connections and equips the next generation of talented musicians with artistic and professional skills. The program advances Holocaust remembrance, preserves musical legacies, and links historical memory with contemporary creation.
partners
The Jerusalem Music Centre (JMC) is Israel’s leading hub for young classical talent, offering advanced training and national outreach since 1973. The driving force of Music as a Sanctuary, JMC selects and prepares Israeli participants, oversees local concerts, and supports long-term development through international exchange.
Landesakademie Ochsenhausen is a leading German music academy known for its immersive training programs. As host of the European residency for Music as a Sanctuary, it provides rehearsal space, accommodation, and concert venues while supporting program delivery and cultural exchange.
Althafen Foundation is a Berlin-based nonprofit supporting artists through programs in cultural innovation, digital strategy, and career development. In Music as a Sanctuary, it co-leads program design, communications, and training on career development, while producing digital content and fostering long-term partnerships.
faculty
Music as a Sanctuary is led by internationally recognized performers and educators from top institutions in Europe, Israel, and the U.S
With experience across global stages and conservatories, the faculty offers practical insight into artistic growth and career development
Participants benefit from direct mentorship, gaining tools and feedback to advance musically and professionally
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Udi Perlman (Resident Composer)
Israeli composer and pianist known for emotionally resonant works; currently explores historical narratives through contemporary composition. -
Prof. Caroline Emery (Double Bass)
Innovator in double bass pedagogy; professor at the Royal College of Music, London, and mentor to top international bassists. -
Prof. Richard Aaron (Cello)
Highly respected faculty at the Juilliard School and University of Michigan; mentor to many of today’s leading cellists. -
Prof. Hans Jørgen Jensen (Cello)
Acclaimed cello professor at Northwestern University; recognized for his impactful mentorship and technical insights. -
Prof. Leonid Gorokhov (Cello)
Lauded soloist and pedagogue; teaches at the Hochschule für Musik in Hannover and the Guildhall School in London. -
Prof. Yair Kless (Violin)
Legendary Israeli violinist and pedagogue; taught at the Rubin Academy in Tel Aviv and the University of Graz. -
Prof. Zvi Carmeli (Viola)
Celebrated Israeli violist and chamber musician; known for his depth in musical expression and educational excellence. -
Prof. Leonid Kerbel (Violin)
Renowned violinist and pedagogue, Prof. Kerbel is the founder of the Young Talent International Music Project in Belgium. -
Prof. Boris Garlitsky (Violin)
International soloist and former concertmaster of the London Philharmonic; professor at the Paris Conservatoire and the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen. -
Prof. Grigory Kalinovsky (Violin)
Distinguished violin professor at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, known for nurturing top competition winners and his deep commitment to pedagogy. -
Prof. Ida Bieler (Violin)
Award-winning soloist and chamber musician; faculty at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf and University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
roadmap
Applications are open for outstanding young string players from Europe and Israel. Selected participants are notified by early summer.
March to June 2025
Participants gather at the Landesakademie Ochsenhausen for an intensive residency combining training, artistic collaboration, and performances. A special focus during the week includes Holocaust remembrance and the premiere of a new commissioned work.
October 3–12, 2025
Following the residency, participants perform in concerts in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, strengthening cross-cultural connections and sharing their work with broader audiences.
October 19, 2025
apply
Applications are now open and may be submitted directly through the Jerusalem Music Centre's official website