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Rome 2026

August 20–27, 2026

Program Itinerary

 

 

A Carefully Designed Educational Journey

 

The EMA program in Rome is thoughtfully designed to combine high-level musical education, cultural immersion, and time for discovery. Each day balances focused study with space to explore the city, ensuring that the experience is enriching, inspiring, and never overwhelming.

 

 

 

Day 1 (August 20) — Arrival

 

 

Arrival in Rome and hotel check-in.

Time to settle in, adjust to the new environment, and prepare for the week ahead in a calm and supportive setting.

 

 

 

Day 2 (August 21) — Music & Art–Oriented Excursion

 

 

A guided excursion centered on music, art, and European cultural heritage.

This day establishes the artistic and historical context of the program, helping students connect their musical studies to the culture that shaped European classical tradition.

 

 

 

Day 3 - 6 (August 22–25 — Lessons with Professors

 

 

Four days of individual lessons with European professors form the core of the program.

Each student follows a personalized lesson schedule designed to encourage focus, artistic growth, and accelerated musical development.

 

At the end of each day, students participate in guided seminars. These sessions are dedicated to listening, discussion, reflection, and artistic guidance, helping students better understand their lessons, broaden musical perspective, and connect technique with musical meaning.

 

While students attend lessons and seminars, families may explore Rome independently. At the same time, we encourage parents to be present at lessons whenever possible, as parental involvement is a powerful educational tool.

 

There are three key reasons for this:

 

  1. Shared Understanding

    When parents observe lessons, they gain a clearer understanding of European teaching methods and artistic expectations, allowing them to better support their child’s learning after the program.

  2. Reinforcement and Continuity

    Concepts discussed in lessons are more effectively reinforced when parents are familiar with the terminology, goals, and technical guidance used by professors.

  3. Emotional Support and Motivation

    A parent’s presence provides emotional security and confidence, helping young musicians stay focused, motivated, and open to artistic growth.

 

 

This approach strengthens the educational impact of the program and ensures that the learning continues well beyond the week in Rome.

 

This structure ensures a strong educational focus, while maintaining balance and space for cultural immersion.

 

 

 

Day 7 (August 26) — Student Concert

 

 

A formal performance in a historic venue.

This concert allows students to apply their learning in a real artistic setting, build confidence on stage, and experience the responsibility and inspiration of performing within a European cultural environment.

 

 

 

Day 8 (August 27) — Departure

 

 

Program conclusion and departure from Rome.

 

 

 

Designed for Learning — and for Discovery

 

 

ESMA Europe is, first and foremost, an educational program. The structure and priorities of the itinerary are built around focused study, individual lessons, and artistic development.

 

At the same time, we believe that deep cultural exposure is an essential part of European education. Time spent walking through the city, visiting cultural sites, and observing daily life in Rome enriches a child’s musical and personal development in ways that remain meaningful for a lifetime.

 

For this reason, the program is designed with a balanced rhythm. Alongside scheduled lessons and activities, families have time to engage with the city without pressure or overload.

 

We provide thoughtful recommendations for cultural attendance, museums, walks, cafés, and family-friendly locations, encouraging families to immerse themselves in the cultural environment at their own pace.

 

This balance allows students to remain focused and energized, while gaining a broader cultural experience that supports artistic growth and leaves a lasting impression well beyond the program itself.

Liliana Bernardi

Violin Professor

Liliana Bernardi is an internationally recognized violinist and pedagogue, praised for her exceptional musical vitality and expressive clarity. She is Professor of Violin at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome and a member of its doctoral board.

 

Winner of numerous competitions, she has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in over 50 countries worldwide and appeared with leading ensembles such as I Filarmonici di Roma, Cameristi della Scala di Milano, Cameristi di Santa Cecilia, and the Orchestra da Camera Italiana. She has collaborated with distinguished artists and conductors including Riccardo Muti, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Valery Gergiev, Kent Nagano, Myung-Whun Chung, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Luciano Berio, Georges Prêtre, Michel de Bernard, Stefano Argiris, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Claudio Abbado, and Yuri Temirkanov.

 

As a soloist with orchestra, her repertoire includes major violin concertos by Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, and Vivaldi, as well as virtuoso works such as Ravel’s Tzigane and Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen. Her chamber music work spans traditional and innovative ensembles.

 

Her recordings for the Stradivarius label have received wide critical acclaim. Trained at the National Academy of Santa Cecilia, the Chigiana Academy, the Mozarteum Salzburg, and the Stauffer Academy in Cremona, she brings a deeply informed European pedagogical approach.

 

Liliana Bernardi is a sought-after masterclass teacher, and her students regularly achieve success in national and international competitions, making her an exceptional mentor for young violinists seeking the highest level of European training.

Roberto Galletto

Piano Professor

Roberto Galletto is a distinguished European pianist, chamber musician, and educator, deeply rooted in the great Italian chamber music tradition. He graduated with highest honors from the B. Marcello Conservatory in Venice and was formed within the artistic lineage of Eugenio Bagnoli, a direct disciple of Alfredo Casella — a tradition that emphasizes musical intelligence, stylistic depth, and refined ensemble playing.

 

His international performing career includes hundreds of concerts worldwide, with appearances in leading concert halls such as Teatro La Fenice (Venice), Teatro Filarmonico (Verona), Teatro Verdi (Trieste), Teatro Bibiena (Mantua), and Palazzo Strozzi (Florence), as well as performances throughout Europe and Asia. He has collaborated with many renowned soloists and orchestras and has recorded for prestigious labels including Decca.

 

Alongside his performing career, Roberto Galletto is a highly respected pedagogue. He regularly gives masterclasses at major music institutions across Europe and is frequently invited to serve on international competition juries. His students are consistently awarded prizes in Italian and international competitions, reflecting both the rigor and clarity of his teaching.

 

He is Professor of Chamber Music at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome, one of Europe’s most prestigious musical institutions, and an institutional member of the European Chamber Music Teachers Association. His teaching approach combines technical excellence with musical depth, helping young musicians build confidence, artistic maturity, and a clear long-term direction.

 

For families seeking the highest standard of European musical education, studying with Roberto Galletto offers not only exceptional instruction, but immersion in a living artistic tradition that has shaped generations of outstanding musicians.

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