The Brass Association announces the launch of the new edition of the one-of-a-kind educational platform for young jazz musicians, which combines training, creativity, and stage practice. The Academy will take place from August 2 to 10, 2025, within the framework of the prestigious International Jazz Festival in Bansko, bringing together young talents from across the country and abroad, ready to immerse themselves in an intensive program led by some of the most acclaimed Bulgarian and international jazz musicians.
Founded in 2022, the Academy has already established itself as a key stage for the professional development of young jazz performers, and the 2025 edition promises an even deeper and more enriching experience. Participants will undergo nine days of intensive training, including individual lessons, group sessions, workshops in improvisation, composition, stage presence, and the basics of the music industry. A special focus is placed on real stage practice – every day, participants will perform concerts before audiences on the “Young Talents” and “Jazz Spots in the City” stages, take part in jam sessions with the lecturers, and build their skills in direct dialogue with the public.
The Academy’s mentoring team includes established names from the Bulgarian and European jazz scenes. Regular mentors include Mihail Yossifov, Ventsi Blagoev, Milen Kukosharov, Pavleta Semova, and Marina Vassileva, joined this year by new lecturers such as Atanas Popov, Daniele Febbo, and Ivan Yordanov. All of them are active performers and educators with many years of experience, who not only impart knowledge but also inspire through their personal example and artistic presence. The Academy continues to strengthen its partnerships with leading media and educational institutions, including Bulgarian National Radio and Jazz FM.
At the core of the training lies not only the development of technical and interpretative skills but also the encouragement of creativity, teamwork, and artistic individuality. Young musicians will be placed in a real professional environment – rehearsing, creating their own projects, contributing to the development of a new original program, and showcasing their work at the Academy’s gala concert. The performances will be recorded and broadcast on Jazz FM radio and social media, ensuring additional visibility and exposure to a global audience.
The most outstanding participants will receive special awards – studio recordings, invitations to perform at festivals, scholarships, and professional development opportunities. In this way, the Academy not only trains but also creates real pathways for entering the professional jazz scene.
“Bansko Jazz Academy 2025” aims to expand opportunities for education and career development for young talents, serving as a meeting point between generations and traditions, inspiration and practice. It is a space where artists not only master their craft but also shape their own artistic voice and find collaborators for future projects.
The Brass Fellowship continues its mission of nurturing new generations of jazz musicians – with high professional standards, care for the community, and an understanding of the role of art in today’s world. The Bansko Jazz Academy is not just training – it is an experience, a community, a stage, and a starting point for the next wave of talented Bulgarian artists.
The project is implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria.
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