New: Master classes
Tickets for the exclusive masterclasses are available from the akustika ticket shop
The 12 masterclasses enable intensive learning with renowned lecturers. Topics include instrument making and sound technique. For example, there is the ‘Violin’ masterclass with Dutch violin soloist Yvonne Smeulers, the ‘Trumpet’ masterclass with Prof. Wolfgang Guggenberger and the ‘5 ways to more musicality’ masterclass with percussionist Stefan Emig. The intimate setting of the masterclasses allows for personal feedback and direct dialogue.
Masterclass ‘Violin’ with Dutch violin soloist Yvonne Smeulers
Friday, 04.04.2025, 14:00-15:30
Students and advanced amateurs play concert pieces on new violin instruments from Bubenreuth and Mittenwald, coached by
by violin soloist Yvonne Smeulers
The masterclass is aimed at students and advanced students
Masterclass Vibraphonissimo – Izabella Effenberg and Jonas Sorgenfrei
Friday, 04.04.2025, 11:00 - 12:30, instrument presentation by Izabelle Effenberg and Jonas Sorgenfrei
Izabella Effenberg studied classical music in Poland and Jazz Mallets, Bachelor and Master at the Music Academy in Nürnberg.
Izabella is one of very few female Jazz vibrafonists in Europe and the first from Poland. At the moment she plays some very rare instruments such as the glass harp, array mbira, steeldrum, sundrum, waterphone and more..but she is always finding new instruments to add to her list and extend the interesting effects of her music.
During her studies in Poland and Germany she received various scholarships und won several prices in competitions both for perfomance and composition. Her Cd "IZA" was awarded 3rd place at the 38th Annual Jazzstation Awards 2016. Above all she was awarded the cultural prize of the city of Nürnberg in 2018 and prize of the region of Mittelfranken 2020. She also won the virtuell competition Woman in Jazz Next Generation 2020(Halle/Saale).
She was supported by the Goethe Institut for the Summer Session in Denmark for professional musicians 2020 and was awarded the Musikfonds Scholarship 2020. She was also supported in 2021 by the Goethe Institut for project Resonance Connection (virtual partner residencies)
She has played with different well known musicians such as Tony Lakatos, Leszek Zadlo, Nippy Noya, Jan Lundgren, Rhoda Scott, Nicole Johänntgen, Magnus Öström, Efrat Alony, Quadro Nuevo, Norbert Nagel, Lars Danielsson, Nils Landgren, Marc Mondesir, Katja Riemann, Vladislav Sendecki, Andrzej Olejniczak, Matthias Schriefl, Prof.Harald Lesch, Triosence, Bugge Wesseltoft to name a few.
Her debut CD „Cuéntame“ was recorded by Bavarian Radio and supported by the cultural department of the city of Nuremberg. On this CD she is accompanied by topclass German musicians and the well known singer Efrat Alony from Israel.
In 2014 she founded a annual Vibraphon festival "Vibraphonissimo" in the Metropolregion Nürnberg in order to introduce her instrument to a wider public.
She presents the very rare instrument Array Mbira on her latest CD "Crystal silence - Music for Array Mbira". The array is a hand - crafted modern instrument with a unique harp- or bell - like sound made by Bill Wesley and Patrick Hadley.
Izabella also plays a glass harp (angelic organ, singing glasses) made by Glass Instrument Maker G2. This very interesting instrument made of specially handmade, tuned wine glasses is played by running the fingers around the rim of the glasses.
Since 2021 Izabella is YAMAHA Artist and in 2022 she was voted Artist of the Metropolitan Region.
Jonas Sorgenfrei – was born in 1993 in Nabburg (Bavaria/Germany). He began learning the drums at the age of 5. He first studied at regional music schools, then after completing his A levels in 2012 he went on to study at the Berufsfachschule für Musik Nürnberg, where he graduted in 2014 as „Staatlich Geprüfter (Ensemble-)Leiter für Popularmusik“.
His love for music lead him to continue on with his studies at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg where he completed his Bachelor degree in Jazz-Drums, Pedagogy, and additionally with a Pedagogical Certificate in Jazz-Vocals in 2019.
In 2015, he took a study trip to New York City, where he took lessons f.e. at the Drummers Collective and the Manhattan School of Music.
In 2018, he furthered his studies at the Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg where he completed his Master degree in Jazz-Drums with pianists Prof. Rainer Böhm and Lorenz Kellhuber with the highest honor in 2021.
Jonas Sorgenfrei competed in the „Jugend Musiziert“ and was awarded a prize in the „Drumset Pop“ category at the age of 17. The communication of music in a principle of solidarity with a focus on integration and inclusion has been close to his heart for many years, for which he has volunteered in a variety of social projects in the association "Willkommen mit Musik e. V." since its founding in the fall of 2014.
During his time at the University of Würzburg he won the Advancement Award in 2015 among others. Later on when he continued his studies at the Hochschule für Musik at Nürnberg, he was prized a Bruno-Rother-Jazz-Competition award and the International Jazz competition "Johnny Raducanu" award in 2019 in Braila, Romania. In 2021 he was prized at the "Jazzfrühling Kempten", the "Junger Münchner Jazzpreis" and with a "Sparda Jazz Award". In 2023, he received the Bavarian Art Award "Bayerischer Kunstförderpreis". As a composer, he received artist funding from the "Musikfonds" Germany in 2022 and 2025 from the "Initiative für Musik" in Germany. In 2024, he received a commission for 6 compositions for the “Deutschen Menschenrechts-Filmpreis”. Jonas Sorgenfrei is a part of the music collective "Metropolmusik e.V.".
As a bandleader, he released "Elephants Marching On" (feat. Rainer Böhm, Wanja Slavin and Matthias Akeo Nowak) as a quartet in September 2021 on the Swiss label Unit Records. His trio recording "Moods" (feat. Denis Gäbel and Peter Christof) was also released by Unit Records in April 2022.
In October 2023, a live-concert recording by "Deutschlandfunk" of his music in a quartet (feat. Florian Trübsbach, Philipp Brämswig and Matthias Akeo Nowak) was released as a CD, also on Unit Records. His new program for quartet & quintet will be released by Unit Records in spring 2026. With „Lou-Duo“ he has released two programs - „Dreams of a little bird“ (2019) and „Souvenir“ (2021). His „Playground Quartet“ released their debut EP „Odyssey“ in 2020. A long-awaited new program “Pathways” and at the same time 5-year revival of the band will be released in spring 2025.
Masterclasses ‘Circular breathing for all woodwind and brass players’ with Michael T. Otto
Friday, 04.04.2025, 11:00-13:00
Saturday, 05.04.2025, 16:00-18:00
Sunday, 06.04.2025, 10:00-12:00
There are many mysterious stories about circular breathing or permanent breathing.
Comments such as: it's innate, it's unhealthy, you don't need it, it destroys the music, etc., are all over the place in musical circles. However, this is a relatively simple breathing technique which - if used correctly - can bring many benefits when making music. In addition to its practical use in everyday music-making, circular breathing is primarily used for breath control.
In the 2-hour masterclass, EVERYONE can learn circular breathing with the help of simple exercises and possibly even practise it on their instrument.
Michael T. Otto (D) studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne. In 2003, his solo debut album ‘Spin Trumpet’ was released on the THOROFON label, followed by further releases on SIGNUM, NEUKLANG and GLM, among others. In 2023, the second solo production ‘Blaues Land’ was released again on the THOROFON label after 20 years. Otto has been developing brass instruments since 2006 and is the inventor/developer of various brass instrument accessories, including the Whisper-Penny® In 2021 he developed the world's first synthetic snail horns. Concert activities and tours with Arkady Shilkloper (RUS), Andy McKee (USA), Olivier Hutman (F), Peter Madsen (USA), David Helbock (A), Joo Kraus (D), Sebastian Studnitzky (D), STUBENJAZZ, Blech & Poesie, as well as various engagements at the Konstanz Theatre. Scholarships, prizes and funding programmes from the Robert Bosch Foundation, the Lake Constance Cultural Office, KLANGSPEKTRUM Baden-Württemberg, the Baden-Württemberg Jazz Association and the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts, among others. Since 2023, Otto has curated the music and literature series ‘LA CONNECTION’ around his person in cooperation with the cultural office of the Lake Constance district.Book your masterclass here
Master lecture and class ‘Trumpet’ Prof. Wolfgang Guggenberger
Saturday, 05.04.2025, 11:00-12:30
Lecture: ‘SONG AND WIND’ - A brass player must think like a singer
‘Song and Wind’ is as important for brass players as the theory of relativity is for physicists. The two terms were coined by Arnold Jacobs, the legendary founder of the Chicago Brass School.
The lecture will focus on the major topic of breathing and the mental processes involved in practising and playing. In addition to many practical exercises to take part in, there will also be room for questions from the audience.
The lecture is aimed at all brass players, teachers and conductors.
Saturday, 05.04.2025, 15:00-17:00
Masterclass
The masterclass is aimed at all brass players who are active as instrumentalists, conductors or teachers. Both active and passive participants are welcome.
The following topics will be worked on with the active participants in practice-orientated lessons:
- Breathing, embouchure, articulation - ‘Thinking without detours’
- Blowing in, practising tips, practising plan - ‘How to practise sensibly and effectively’
- Working with ‘BASICS PLUS’ - Fundamental two-part exercises that train your attention to your own listening and place it at the centre of your practice.
The number of active participants is limited. ‘Join-in exercises’ and space for individual questions also involve passive participants.Book your masterclass here
Masterclasses "Brass instruments" with Tobias Füller
Saturday, 05.04.2025, 13:00-14:30
Saturday, 05.04.2025, 16:00-17:30
From air to sound - methodical basics for playing a brass instrument
We use various exercises to develop ways of making our playing more efficient.
Masterclasses ‘Percussion’ with Stephan Emig
Saturday, 05.04.2025, 10:00-12:00
Saturday, 05.04.2025, 14:30-16:00
5 ways to more musicality - personal and musical development
Discover the powerful connection between personal and instrumental development in this unique masterclass. Sometimes it doesn't take the next technical exercise, the latest lick or the most modern equipment to reach new musical heights. Rather, a change in mindset, letting go of disturbing beliefs and a new approach to making music can bring about great changes.
What you can expect:
Stephan Emig takes you where you are right now and offers you practical, directly realisable tips. The masterclass is intensive, personalised and interactive - in a way that you have never experienced before. Originally designed for percussionists of all levels, the topics are universal and also open to those interested in playing other instruments. Anyone who wants to deepen their musical journey will find valuable inspiration here! Be ready for a new way of learning and making music! The content is designed to accelerate your progress, overcome obstacles and re-evaluate what you have already learnt.
Here are some topics that we will work on together:
- How to reignite your inspiration and motivation.
- Techniques for focussing when playing and practising.
- How to deal productively with ‘mistakes’ as a player, learner or teacher.
- Playful practising: The balancing act between knowledge and the free play instinct.
- Improvisation as a natural and liberating way of making music.
- The importance of inner attitude: ideas from meditation for more satisfaction and appreciation of your playing.
- Applied know-how: How to reclassify and utilise skills you have already learnt.
This masterclass not only offers the opportunity to grow musically, but also to develop personally; an event full of music, inspiration and self-development.
Masterclass ‘Piano’ with Evgenia Rubinova
Saturday, 05.04.2025, 10:00-12:30
Saturday, 05.04.2025, 14:00-16:00
The piano masterclass with the renowned pianist Evgenia Rubinova is aimed at anyone who wants to pursue a professional career in piano or is planning concert performances. In addition to her international career, Rubinova has many years of teaching experience at the Leopold Mozart College of Music at the University of Augsburg.
It is her aim to support advanced music pupils and music students in refining their soloistic qualities: Playing technique, intonation and work-specific stylistics are illuminated and elaborated within the framework of the masterclass. The aim is to provide guidance for self-study and to encourage professional individuality in sound development and interpretation.
Masterclass Sax Royal
Saturday, 05.04.2025: 12:00-13:00 with Sax Royal
Saturday, 05.04.2025: 12:00-13:00 with Sax Royal Wolfram Dullnig
The quintet is made up of the Austrian saxophonists Wolfram Dullnig (ensemble leader and lead alto sax), Klaus Schneeberger (alto sax), Jakob Veider, Martin Karrè (both tenor sax) and Hubert Schneider (baritone sax). Together, the five protagonists generate an unmistakable sound that gets under your skin.
The repertoire, most of which they arrange themselves, draws on hits from a wide range of genres (including jazz, pop, rock and folk).
Never serious, but always entertaining, full of energy and passion, they never fail to impress international audiences at congresses, business presentations, vernissages, festivals, gala dinners, social or sporting events - or simply on the street, where they have worked hard to earn their first laurels.
The 4 recordings they have released to date and various TV and radio appearances also bear witness to their qualities.
