2020 ACADÉMIE: A NEW RESIDENCY FOR WOMEN CONDUCTORS
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It is an historic first in France. From 24 June to 7 July 2020, the Académie du Festival d’Aix will be inviting three women conductors to participate in a brand new residency: a mentorship for women conductors.
Since 2016, the Académie du Festival d’Aix has been developing an empowerment programme; and every year, it demonstrates its increasing commitment to supporting women’s access to artistic creation. Thus, the Académie hosts an annual Women Opera Makers Workshop—for composers, authors, directors and conductors—led by director Katie Mitchell. In 2020 the Académie is broadening its support for female conductors by offering three young women the chance to participate in a mentorship for women conductors. This innovative programme has been structured as career development training, and will serve as a true professional springboard. The aim is to support young women conductors in their integration into the professional world by adding an international dimension to their careers. As they enjoy the healthy rivalry offered by the Festival d’Aix, these women conductors will benefit from the experience and artistic, technical and professional advice of the Festival’s prestigious guest artists, including conductors Susanna Mälkki, Raphaël Pichon, Sir Simon Rattle, Leonardo García Alarcón and Thomas Hengelbrock. During this twelve-day residency, the women will also have the opportunity to direct one of the great orchestras invited to the Festival this year—the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble—during rehearsal.
