SMA Summer Music School 2026
3 - 9th August
The Yehudi Menuhin School
We are back this coming summer!
SMA International Summer Music School 2026
at The Yehudi Menuhin School Surrey
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 5-16 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, and chamber music groups
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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, and professionals
Location:
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The Yehudi Menuhin School in Cobham
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Cobham: Surrounded by Surrey Hills and waterways, less than 40 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, outdoor 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, featuring renowned musicians: Tasmin Little(Violin), Justin Pearson (Cello), Martin James Bartlett (Piano), and Samuel Lom (Voice). 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 - 9th August. You can choose the duration and days you would like to join.
Press the button below for the application.
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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 Music
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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
Alexander Walker
Conductor
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Principal Conductor at UK leading orchestras including Royal Phihamonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales wit an international career
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Recipient of the Elgar Medal
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
Maureen Galea
Pianist
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Expert in Czech piano repertoire, Classical Improvisation
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Piano tutor at University of Surrey
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Founder of "Quattro Mani" competition
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
Simon Callaghan
Pianist
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International career as soloist and chamber musician
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Has made many world premiere recordings, including several concertos with BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Martyn Brabbins
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Visiting teacher at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
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.
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
Martin James - Wilson
Pianist
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Martin James Bartlett is a Warner Classics artist and a faculty member in the Keyboard Department at the Royal College of Music.
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Known for his fearless technique and artistry, he has received acclaim for albums like "Love and Death" and "La Danse".
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Performs at top festivals and venues worldwide, showcasing his exceptional musicianship.
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Collaborates with prestigious ensembles, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
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.
Louise Hawker
Violinist & Violist
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Graduated from the Royal College of Music
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Principal viola of the BEL and also plays regularly with leading orchestras
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Currently teaches viola and violin at Charterhouse School
Alexandra Mackenzie
Cellist
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First-class Honours graduate of the RAM and Master degree at the Manhattan School of Music
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Performed internationally, Guest Principal Cello with Welsh National Opera
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Holds the LRAM teaching diploma and teaches at the Junior Academy of the Royal Academy of Music
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Serves as an examiner for Academic Board of Royal School of Music
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
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.