Baron Swerts Academy

Baron Swerts Academy: the orchestra academy of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

With the Baron Swerts Academy, we offer conservatory students and recently graduated musicians intensive orchestral training within the orchestra for one season. They perform in at least 10 orchestral productions and are accompanied by the orchestra members. In addition, Academists receive individual lessons, workshops and audition training, and work out their own chamber music programme for performances in and around Antwerp under the name Antwerp Symphony Orchestra Mobile.

The orchestra academy was founded in 2018 and bears the name of its main sponsor, Vic Baron Swerts, since 2023.

Baron Swerts Academy 2024-2025

Giannis Antonopoulos, violin
Clara Pérez Campuzano, violin
Francisca Barata Feyo, viola
Andrei Mihai Jîjîie, double bass
Ana Muñoz Koniarska, horn

Antwerp Symphony & Julie Rommelaere

Experiences from our academics

"When I saw the Academy's extensive offer I totally went for it. I really like it, it is a super cool orchestra to play with, there is a pleasant atmosphere and the residence in the Queen Elisabeth Hall is beautiful."
- Ciska Vandelanotte, violinist

"All the musicians are very involved and enjoy it. My designated coach sits next to me, helps me well and also gives me tips. So I really liked it after the first day."
- Iedje van Wees, cellist

About the Academy

Who can apply?

Musicians who:

are under 27 years of age
are pursuing or have pursued an undergraduate degree in music (or equivalent), and
are nationals of a member state of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, or already hold a valid work permit.

Components of the academy course

The academy course of the Baron Swerts Academy consists of the following parts:

an academy course lasts one season
playing a minimum of 10 productions, accompanied by mentors from the orchestra
at least 10 individual lessons with conductors and/or other members of the orchestra
a group mental training session
a movement workshop (Alexander technique)
audition training: preparation during the individual lessons for a final audition at the end of the period
mentorship: an orchestra member from the group to which the student belongs is appointed
godfather/mother of the student, who accompanies the student and participates in the programme
improvisation workshop linked to a Re-Mix project led by Paul Griffiths

Candidates who complete the entire programme may call themselves "Academist of Antwerp Symphony Orchestra".

After a positive final evaluation, students will have three years' access to the second round of auditions of equivalent positions for Antwerp Symphony Orchestra.

Baron Swerts Academy Alumni

Season 2023-2024

Dante Cáceres, violin
Lilyana Popdimitrova, violin
Cecilia van Berkum, violin
Alberto García Pérez, viola
Cecilia Hutnik, cello
Lluc Pascual Sarret, cello
Inés García Pinilla, double bass
David Kuijken, percussion

Season 2022-2023

Roberto Quartararo, violin
Bérénice Awouters, violin
Audinga Musteikytė, viola
Irene Cervera Esteban, cello
Nassim Attar, double bass
Elias Blanco, percussion

Season 2021-2022

Laura Sánchez Larín, violin
Robin Veldman, violin
Alice Sinacori, viola
Laia Ruiz Llopart, cello
Floyd Vermaes, double bass
Tom Pritchard, percussion

Season 2019-2020

Dámaso Escauriaza, percussion
Miguel Moreno Traba, double bass
Emma Kroon, cello
Karin van Rens, horn
Jose Miguel Freitas, viola
Filipe Costa Raposo, violin
Isabelle Rowland, violin

Season 2018-2019

Iedje van Wees, cello
Helena Custers, double bass
Koen Slootmans, percussion
Ciska Vandelanotte, violin
Edgar Maia Gomes, violin
Quinten De Gelaen, horn

Questions? Get in touch

Kumi Kondo
03 213 54 31
kumi.kondo@antwerpso.be