
Smarano International Early Keyboards Academy
OUR MOTTO
Docendo discitur


“Smarano International Early Keyboards Academy” is an eleven days summer course in northern Italy, where multiple interconnected masterclasses about the art of keyboard music from the 16th to the 18th century are held by internationally renowned musicians and experts. During the course, based on historical methods of teaching, the participants can have four hours a day of scheduled practice time and private coaching on multiple keyboard instruments (organ, harpsichord, clavichord, and fortepiano).
That is why Smarano’s motto is a quotation from Seneca: Docendo Discitur, meaning “it is learned by teaching”. The Smarano Academy is a true meeting platform where people in our field gather to learn from one another and teach one another about a valuable European cultural heritage.

Smarano Academy 2023
Theme
The 2023 Academy is dedicated to the theme "From Vienna to Lübeck and Paris". This year the focus shifts to the relations between Vienna and Northern Germany and, more generally, to the intersections and confluences of music and styles between the great European cities, Lübeck and Paris.
Where and When
The 2023 Smarano International Early Keyboards Academy will be held from July 24 to August 4 in Smarano (Predaia, Italy), a little village nestled between mountains in northern Italy. The 2023 program includes a trip to Mantua to visit and play the Antegnati Organ 1565 (St. Barbara Church).
Courses and Teachers
The Academy is characterized by individual and collective work on improvisation and repertoire.
The teachers of the 2023 edition are: Enrico Baiano, Edoardo Bellotti, Armando Carideo, Hans Davidsson, Ulrika Davidsson, William Porter and Joel Speerstra. Lea Suter will be the tutor of the students.
Why choose Us
Our statistics
editions
students
concerts
audience
How to apply


Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, active participants will be required to attend the whole Academy which will be held from 24 July to 4 August 2023 in Smarano (IT).
No, non-active participants will not be required to attend the whole Academy.
Each active participant is due to prepare a repertoire that will published by the end of December 2022.
After the application's approval, we will send you the list of the accomodation facilities in Smarano affiliated with us (hostels, B&B, hotels). We will take care of the reservation.
The admittance will be confirmed upon payment of the application fee that is due within 15 days from the confirmation.
The fee includes the courses, 3/4 hours of individual practice/coaching per day, tuition materials, certificate of attendance, accident insurance, trip A/R Smarano-Mantua (by bus or train).
No, but practising instruments may be available for a limited extent.
Yes, when you will complete the Academy, you will receive a certificate of attendance.
What people say about us

Very high academic level. Exceptional teachers. Inspiring classes. Friendly atmosphere. Wonderful collegiality between students and faculty.

Smarano International Organ Academy was the best summer academy that I have ever attended, and I have attended a lot! Full of good teachers and great people.

The greater strenght of Smarano Academy is the wide diversity of available instruments and teachers who are each experts in a particular field.