Piano Music Concert: Vardan Geodakian, Arthur Grigoryan (class of the Prof. A.Paley) on March 16 at Music Academy

Piano recital Barbara Prado (Mexico) March 17 at Music Academy

Congratulations to student Ihor Danyleiko (prof. V.Prudnikovas class) for Grand Prix in International Competition online in Slovenia

Class Concert of Prof. Alexander Paley

Vida Miknevičiūtė (soprano, Lithuania/Germany) Master Classes for Vocal Department students

Christmas Concert – a gift from the VMU Music Academy to the VMU Community, on December 14, at 4.00 PM at VMU Great Hall

Chamber Music Concert of students of Prof. Alexander Paley on 24th of November at Music Academy

Erasmus BIP “International Magnus Piano Week” at Vytautas Magnus University Music Academy: creative and cultural week for pianists

Vytautas Magnus University Music Academy became an international space of artistic communion from 17 to 25 October 2024, hosting masterclasses, concerts, and artistic discoveries through the week-long Erasmus Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “International Magnus Piano Week.” This immersive experience, developed in collaboration with the Royal Danish Academy of Music and the Norwegian Academy of Music, combined virtual and physical activities to enhance piano students’ technical proficiency, deepen their understanding of the artistic and psychological aspects of performance, and enrich their concert experience.

The programme started virtually on 17 October, allowing students and teachers to familiarize themselves with the planned activities and lecture content. The physical part of the programme took place from 21-25 October, when students participated in intensive masterclasses led by professors from the Royal Danish Academy of Music, the Norwegian Academy of Music, Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music and Vytautas Magnus University Music Academy. These masterclasses helped each student to develop their technical skills, and the teachers provided personal feedback for each student’s personal development.

In addition to the practical training, the programme included group lectures. Topics such as the psychology of stage fright, Leopold Godowsky: his life, art and legacy, and the methodology of artistic research encouraged students to look deeper into their area and field of studies and work. The lecture “The Psychology of Stage Fright” discussed the universal challenge of performers and provided valuable insights into how to overcome stage fright and build self-confidence. A lecture on Leopold Godowski, a legendary figure in the piano world, revealed his extraordinary life and legacy, enriching students‘ understanding of his music and influence on the art of the piano, and of his connection to Lithuania. The lectures were delivered by lecturers from Vilnius University and Vytautas Magnus University Music Academy.

The Erasmus Blended Intensive Program (BIP) International Magnus Piano Week also included public concerts where students could showcase their skills on the stages of Kaunas and Vilnius. The concert series started on the evening of 21 October with a special professors‘ performance at the Concert Hall of the VMU Music Academy.

On the following days, student concerts were presented: on 22 October, a concert took place at the Kaunas Choral Synagogue,

and on 24 October, piano music was performed at the Great Hall of the Kaunas Juozas Gruodis Conservatoire.

The closing concert of the Erasmus Blended Intensive Program (BIP) International Magnus Piano Week at the Organum Concert Hall in Vilnius on 25 October was the highlight of an intensive week full of learning, cultural exchange and creative discovery. The students had the opportunity to showcase their skills and experience on stage. They also shared their creativity and spirit of community with the audience and their partners on stage – the concert was a celebration of their efforts, their growth and their experiences.

The Erasmus BIP International Magnus Piano Week project has become more than a series of lectures, masterclasses and concerts, it has been a lively exchange of ideas and cultures, bringing together students from Lithuania, Denmark, Norway and beyond for the united purpose. The programme, which included teaching, lectures, and performances, enriched the students’ musical abilities and strengthened their commitment to achieving excellence in their field.

Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Alumna of the Music Academy to Discuss Liberal Arts and Employability at Vytautas Magnus University’s Alumni Day with Meiqi Zhang participation

As part of the traditional Alumni Day on November 8th, Vytautas Magnus University is organizing a hybrid discussion titled “Liberal Arts: Navigating Careers, Personal Growth, and the AI Era.” This discussion aims to unite our international alumni and current students to explore the relevance of a liberal arts education, employability, personal growth, and the impact of AI on today’s job market.

The hybrid discussion will take place on Friday, November 8, from 16:00 to 17:30, both online via Microsoft Teams and onsite at VMU Senate Hall, S. Daukanto g. 28, Kaunas. The event will be conducted in English. Registration is required.

For current students, this is a fantastic chance to meet alumni working in various fields in Lithuania and around the world, network, ask questions, and engage in discussions to gain insights about today’s job market and navigating their careers.

For the professors and supervisors, this is an opportunity to learn more about their students’ growth over the years. It could also be a way to reconnect and ensure collaboration for the future.

Meet the faculty alumna who will be speaking on the subtopic “The Relevance of a Liberal Arts Education and Employability.”

Meiqi Zhang from China completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s studies in the Performing Arts Solo Piano program at the VMU Music Academy (2018–2024). She has just begun her PhD at the VMU Education Academy, focusing on the philosophy and social competence of musical aesthetics education in higher education.

„I am 24 years old, and I come from Anyang, a city in Henan province in central China. My native language is Chinese, but I also speak English. I come from a family deeply involved in music — my father is a piano tuner, and my mother is a music manager and art marketing director. I began learning the violin and piano at the age of 4, and I started professional piano training at the age of 9. My master’s thesis focused on the career of a musician“.

Congratulations to the laureates of the VII-th Vilnius International Youth Music Competition “Premio Scarlatti” 2024—students of the Piano Department and their teachers

From October 26-31, the 7th Vilnius International Youth Music Competition “Premio Scarlatti” 2024 took place at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.

Students from the Music Academy returned with notable achievements:

Borim Kang (class of Prof. D. Račius) – Grand Prix
Lilyt Sargsyan – 2nd Place (class of Prof. D. Račius)
Ana Somova – Diploma (class of Assoc. Prof. Š. Čepliauskaitė)

For more information: