SMA Summer Music School 2026
3-9th August
The Yehudi Menuhin School
Surrey UK
See You In 2026 Summer
SMA International Summer Music School 2026
at The Yehudi Menuhin School Cobham
Date:
3rd August to 9th August 2026
Event Highlights:
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Spectacular week-long summer music school
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Residential and non-residential options
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For aged 4-16 pianists, orchestral instrument players, and singers
Program Features:
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Daily improvisation with young artists
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Masterclasses for various instruments
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Ensembles, choirs, chamber music groups and musical theatre
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Two orchestras: Junior (Grades 1-3) and SMA Senior (Grade 4 to Grade 8+)
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Mini Musicianship program for beginners
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Gala concert featuring mini musicians, juniors, senior and professionals
Location:
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The Yehudi Menuhin School in Cobham, surrounded by Surrey Hills and waterways, less than 30 minutes from London and Heathrow Airport
School Facilities:
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The Yehudi Menuhin School is a specialist music school in Stoke d'Abernon, Surrey, England, founded in 1963 by violinist and conductor Yehudi Menuhin.
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27-acre grounds with professional concert facilities, indoor swimming pool, visiting Mr Percy the peacock
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Menuhin Halls: 300-seat concert hall provides rehearsal, recording and performance space for pupils at the School, who give in the region of twenty "Showcase" concerts there each year. It is also a platform for the dozen or so "Celebrity" concerts given throughout the year by musicians of international standing
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World-class facilities, renowned music tutors, and opportunities to make lifelong friends
Accommodation:
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Harris House for boys and Cowan House for girls
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Students sleep in single, double or triple bedrooms depending on their age. Befitting the nature of the School, there are pianos in many rooms and on landings, where space allows
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Large common room and kitchen
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There is a laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer. Many girls do their own laundry in the House but they can use the school’s central laundry if they wish
ABOUT OUR PROGRAMME
Improvisation workshop
Improvisation has played a powerful role in musicianship development, it helps to level the playing field of students.
Chamber Music
Chamber groups are formed before the course to allow students time to prepare their parts.
Masterclass
Every student will be attending a Masterclass on their primary instrument.
Symphony Orchestra
If you play an orchestral instrument you will join one of our orchestral groups.
Vocal Course
A fabulous singing course for 5-16 year old, with boarding and day options. Led by inspiring tutors, styles include musical theatre and classical music
Our Master Class
We are excited to offer exclusive masterclasses for our Summer Music School 2026 again, the list of Masters will be released in October. In 2025 series we have featured renowned musicians: Tasmin Little (Violin), Ben Davies (Cello), Melvyn Tan (Piano), and Guy Johnston (Musicianship). These masterclasses provide a unique opportunity to learn from world-class artists, gain valuable insights, and enhance your musical skills. The masterclasses are free for all Summer Music School students, while non-students can participate for a fee of £35 per person. Please get in touch with us if you would like to join. Don't miss this chance to refine your craft and be inspired by these exceptional musicians!
Mini Musicianship
Suitable for Beginner to Grade 2 (Age 4 - 7)
If your child is under age 7, you are welcome to join our Mini Musican Programme - Daily course.
£150 per day during our Summer Music School on 4th - 7th August. You can choose the duration and days you would like to join.
Press the button below for the application.
Vocal Programme
Vocal & Instrumental Excellence United
For the first time, SMA International Summer Music School proudly presents a fully integrated SMA Summer Vocal Singing Programme alongside our distinguished instrumental course programme.
The Vocal Programme includes:
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Classical Singing for singers Grade 3 and above or trained choristers seeking technical refinement and artistic dept
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Musical TheatreOpen to all — no prior experience required
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A vibrant, expressive pathway into stage performance and storytelling through song
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Choir & Vocal Ensembles
Inclusive and inspiring — open to everyone. Developing musicianship, listening skills, blend, and collective artistry.
Featured Vocal Faculty 2026:
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Vocal Masterclasses – 8th August, led by bass-baritone Samuel Lom, Director of Performing arts at Ripley Court School
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Musical Theatre Programme Led by soprano Thea Callaghan ( RWCMD graduate)
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Choir & Ensemble led by the highly regarded choral director Robert Lewis
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Special Artistic Presence SMA Co-Founder and students’ favourite teacher - John Mühlemann, Director of Music at Thomas’ College Richmond
SMA International Summer Music School is not simply a summer course.It is an artistic environment where instrumentalists discover their voice, where singers deepen their musicianship, and where young artists grow in confidence, imagination and excellence.
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OUR FACULTY
Our faculty members are highly influential musicians in the industry. In every course they teach, they bring their rich experience, knowledge and passion to the lessons. Get to know our talented team below, and feel free to reach out with questions.
John Muhlemann
Director of Operation
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Director of Music at Highfield & Brookham School
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Music Scholar at Oxford University
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Senior Piano teacher at Eton
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25 years of teaching piano
Matthew Lloyd-Wilson
Conductor
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Principal Conductor at Claud Powell Chamber Orchestra
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Has conducted for Winchester Chamber Orchestra, SCYO, WSO, GYSO and a few others
Suzanne Cacciottolo
Pianist
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Graduated in Education with Honours from the University of Malta
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Passionate about teaching, over 30
years of teaching experience -
Head of piano at Surrey Music
Academy, Trustee of TBS, Head of
Conservatoire Concerts
Robert Lewis
Vocalist & Piano Accompanist
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Choral scholar at Oxford University, Westminster Cathedral Choir Scholar
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Director of Vax Chamber Choir
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Founder of Excelsis Choir
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Teaches & prepares students for entrance to all UK's Conservatoires and Oxbridge scholarship
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Adjudicator to varies of competitions
Caroline Tyler
Composer & Pianist
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Alumna of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Concordia Foundation of London
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Music examiner for ABRSM
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20 years experience of international performing, teaching and adjudicating
Martin James Bartlett
Pianist
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International career as soloist and chamber musician
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Prix Serdang Winner 2022
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BBC Young Musician Winner of 2014
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Visiting Professor at Royal College of Music
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Exclusive Warner Recording Artist
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Benjamin Britten Piano Fellowship 2020-2021
Kam Tomita
Pianist
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Made his concerto debut at the Royal Festival Hall at the age of 15
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The first Japanese musician to be awarded the Parnell Pianist in Association Junior Fellowship at the Royal College of Music.
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Was assistant teacher at the Mozarteum International Summer Academy in Salzburg.
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Teaches privately and holds a teaching post at Thomas's School in London.
Maureen Galea
Pianist
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Maltese pianist with degree from University of Malta, Conservatorio L. Cherubini (Florence) and University of Surrey (PhdD)
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Performs widely as soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician across Europe
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Piano tutor at University of Surrey, Royal Grammar School Guildford, and St Mary's School Ascot
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Released acclaimed recordings including Czech Gems and Sea Croon
Edward Leung
Pianist
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Member of piano faculty at Menuhin School
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Holds the current Philharmonia MMSF Piano Fellowship, and has won all the major prizes at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
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The cofounder of Opus 21, an innovative chamber music collective dedicated to bringing an eclectic repertory of chamber music to Princeton University and beyond.
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Has made concerto appearances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Filarmonica Mihail Jora Bacau
Ning Kam
Violinist
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Singaporean award-winning concert violinist, is currently
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Principle Teacher at the Yehudi Menuhin School, UK
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She has performed with many world-leading orchestras
Catherine Lett
Violinist
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Scholar at the Purcell school of Music
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Graduated from GSMD and studied with John Glickman, received coaching from Sylvia Rosenberg and Takacs Quartet when her love of chamber music was fully ignited
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Toured with Pressburg Chamber Soloists and performed with Nigel Kennedy, Simon Rattle, ColinDavies, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and other leading orchestras
Ben Rogerson
Cellist
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Member of the BBC Concert Orchestra and London Mozart Players.
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Collaborates with a wide range of artists, from Bryn Terfel to Kylie Minogue.
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Graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and SUNY Purchase, USA, studying under Derek Simpson and Julia Lichten.
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Cello tutor at the Royal Grammar School Guildford.
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Has tutored NYOGB Inspire and the National Youth Orchestras of Ireland, Ulster, and Wales.
Victoria Fenech
Violinist
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At her aged 14, Victoria completed her ABRSM diploma in violin
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Graduated from the University of Bristol in 2021
Meg Hamilton
Violinist & Violist
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Millennium Award-winning violist and violinist with degrees from Edinburgh University and Trinity College of Music.
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Founder of Kosmos Ensemble, blending classical, improvisation, jazz, and world music styles.
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Specialises in diverse genres, including tango, Celtic, Romanian, Greek, Jewish, and Middle-Eastern music.
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Tours internationally with She’Koyokh, the UK’s leading Klezmer and Balkan music ensemble.
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Renowned for her unique fusion of classical and traditional music from around the globe.
Alexandra Mackenzie
Cellist
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First-class Honour Graduate from the Royal Academy of Music and was honoured with an ARAM for her outstanding contribution to music
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Performs internationally across the UK, Europe and New York, appearing with LSO, ECO, and as Guest Principal Cello with Welsh National Opera
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Alexandra holds the LRAM teaching diploma and currently teaches at RAM.
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Examiner for Academic Board of Royal School of Music
Arturo Costa
Cellist
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Studied in Paris with Jean-Marie Gamard - Professor at CNSMDP
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Received Master degree in Performance at RCM, studied with Melissa Phelps.
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Member of many major orchestras
Phoebe Scott
Cellist
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Full scholarship to the Junior Royal
Academy of Music aged 10 followed by Manchester University scholar and Post-graduate scholarship at RAM -
Performed with numerous prestigious orchestras and has collaborated closely with composer Mark-Anthony Turnage
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Enjoys coaching and giving masterclasses
Eric Bugeja
Violinist
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B.A. in Violin Performance (University of Malta)
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Leads multiple Maltese orchestras; part-time with Malta Philharmonic; EUYO and Bisyoc alum.
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Violin tutor at major Maltese institutions and visiting tutor in Ireland.
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Performed with Collegium Musicum, St Monica Ensemble, and various youth orchestras.
Jo Harris
Trumpeter
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Principle Trumpet in new opera by Elena Langer for WNO
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Jo’s recording of Enter Ghost was championed by ITG
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Trumpet tutor at NCO
Marjorie Carrington
Oboist
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Postgraduate from GSMD, played with various orchestras and west end show
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2nd Oboe with Slovenian Philharmonia orchestra for 7 years
Alison Hoyland
Saxophonist & flautist
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Graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
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Musical Director of the Milestone Big Band, playing lead tenor saxophone
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Performed at Royal Albert Hall, Savoy Hotel, and other famous symphony concert halls
Elizabeth Baumberg
French Hornist
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Graduated from the Guild Hall School of Music and Drama
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Specialise in the Kodaly method
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Performed at Royal Albert Hall
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Teaches students of all levels and all ages
Joseph Lewis
Percussionist
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Percussionist since 2017, freelancing across Southern UK and teaching music in South London.
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Studied Music Performance at RCM, performing with icons like Evelyn Glennie and top conductors.
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Early experience with school, county, and junior orchestras, plus UK/European Drum Corps competitions.