An International Destination for Cultural Exchange and Musical Excellence, Created for the Next Generation of Classical Musicians

WHAT DOES ATLANTA FESTIVAL ACADEMY OFFER?

Atlanta Festival Academy gathers young musicians from around the globe to learn from world-class instructors and artists, perform awe-inspiring music, and most importantly, develop lifelong friendships based upon the creation of art together and the exchange of cultural knowledge.

Current Atlanta Festival Academy programs include:

  • 2 Summer Camps
  • 2 Youth Orchestras
  • Master Class Series
  • Online Music Competition
We invite you to discover how AFA’s many programs inspire musicians and music-lovers alike!

AFA SUMMER PROGRAMS

2023 Finale Concert

This year’s concert will feature violinist Nancy Zhou performing incredible solo works with participants from AFA’s Chamber Music Camp and Junior Talent Development Program! You won’t want to miss this concert taking place on Saturday, July 29 at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.

Chamber Music Camp

Atlanta Festival Academy’s two-week Chamber Music Camp offers motivated young musicians ages 10-23 the opportunity to refine their skills through the rewarding process of small ensemble rehearsal and performance. Participants receive daily coachings from members of the Vega String Quartet, play in master classes led by world-renowned instructors, and perform alongside internationally recognized, prize-winning soloists! 

AFA’s 2023 Chamber Music Camp will take place July 17 thru July 29, and applications are now being accepted. Click here to learn more and apply!

Junior Talent Development Program

The Junior Talent Development Program provides an intensive two-week experience for ambitious, skilled violinists age 10 and younger. The program’s activities include daily lessons, small ensemble practice, master classes, and more, and are based upon the methods of renowned Chinese violin professor Lin Yao Ji. His teachings explore the relationships between the instrument, nature, and life so that violinists gain healthy practice and performance habits from a young age.

AFA’s 2023 Junior Talent Development Program will take place July 17 thru July 29, and applications are now being accepted. Click here to learn more and apply!

Nancy Zhou

ATLANTA FESTIVAL YOUTH ORCHESTRAS

Atlanta Festival Academy offers two youth orchestras that meet during the school year, both of which give friends made in AFA’s summer programs the chance to continue performing music together all year long!

The Atlanta Festival Chamber Orchestra is an ensemble that lets string players in middle school and high school explore the rich and challenging literature of the string orchestra repertoire. Atlanta Festival Chamber Orchestra’s performances go beyond the concert stage to include the Georgia State Capitol and exciting Lunar New Year festivities!

 The Atlanta Festival Junior Orchestra gives string players in elementary school and middle school an amazing opportunity to play in a high-quality, large ensemble from a young age. Designed for students who may not even have a school orchestra yet, the Junior Orchestra provides a fun environment to begin learning from a conductor while playing with a variety of instruments.

Audition dates for Atlanta Festival Youth Orchestra’s 2023-2024 seasons will soon be announced.

News and Updates!

Atlanta Festival Chamber & Junior Orchestras’ Spring Concert!

The Atlanta Festival Chamber Orchestra, led by Georgia Ekonomou, wraps up its second season with a concert filled with delightful string pieces by composers ranging from Boyce to Britten to Shostakovich!

This concert will also feature the premiere performance by the Atlanta Festival Junior Orchestra, led by Jeremy Woolstenhulme. They will be joined by AFA’s co-founder, William Pu, who will perform Kreisler’s Praeludium & Allegro alongside the orchestra.

This concert will take place on Saturday, March 25 at 4pm in the South Hall building at Mount Pisgah Christian School, 9820 Nesbit Ferry Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022.

Pictures and Videos from 2022 Camps and Finale Concert

A wide variety of pictures from Atlanta Festival Academy’s 2022 Chamber Music Camp, Junior Talent Development Program, and Finale Concert with Kevin Zhu can be viewed here.

YouTube video playlists for AFA’s 2022 Student Chamber Group Recital and Finale Concert can be seen here.

Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

AFA SUMMARY VIDEO

This 3-minute video provides a thorough overview about the mission and accomplishments of the Atlanta Festival Academy. To watch the amazing individual performances from our 2021 and 2019 concerts please click here.

We would like to thank the following partnerships for making the Atlanta Festival Academy so successful.