Faculty | I-AME

Lihay Bendayan

Lihay Bendayan, head of the Violin Class at the Jerusalem Academy of Music. "His precision, his virtuosity and his technique were unanimously appreciated ... Lihay Bendayan was admired for his extraordinary musicality, his delicatessens..."Alsace Guebwiller Journal Lihay Bendayan, Professor of violin and chamber music, Head of the Violin Class at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. He was also Head of the Strings Department and Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance for several years. He previously and for many years held the position of Professor of violin at the HEMU - the Lausanne University of Music, site of Sion. After starting his violin studies with Michael Gaisler in Israel at the age of 5, at the age of 9, Lihay performed to...

Petr Bernášek

Petr Bernášek, violin, chamber music. During his violin studies at the Prague Conservatoire, Czech Republic, in the classes of Professors František Anděl and František Pospíšil, Petr Bernášek participated in the Academy of Y. Menuhin in Switzerland under Professor Alberto Lysy. In the years 1992-1996 he continued with his studies at the Academy of Music in Prague, Czech Republic, in the violin class of Professor Jiří Tomášek and in the chamber music class of Václav Bernášek. During his university studies he participated in a four-month study at CNSMDP in Paris, France, with Professors Jacques Ghestem and Joseph Golan. Under the guidance of the members of the Alban Berg Quartet, he continued to study chamber music together with the M. Nostitz Quartet in Vienna, Austria, in the years...

Daniel Glineur

Daniel Glineur Violin, Professor Emeritus Académie de Musique d'Ath, Belgium Violin and viola teacher in various music schools in Belgium since 1980. He also leads various orchestral or chamber music formations specially dedicated to young musicians. Daniel Glineur organizes numerous projects highlighting Czech artists and composers in Belgium with the support of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Brussels. It also organizes numerous concerts dedicated to the promotion of talented young Belgian and foreign musicians. He is frequently invited to participate to orchestral projects in Albania, Guatemala, Mexico, Montenegro, Spain and even Mongolia. Daniel also participates in various juries of violin competitions as the Kocian competition in Usti nad Orlici, but also in Albania and Cuba....

Ada Slivanská

Ada Slivanská I-AME Executive Director, violin and chamber music Ada Slivanská is a graduate of Prague’s Conservatoire where she studied violin and composition, and of the Charles University School of Liberal Arts where she read musicology. Even during her studies she established a chamber ensemble named Quartetto con flauto with which she has cut four compact discs and has appeared on many domestic and foreign stages (Spain, Germany, Poland, Belgium, Italy, USA, Japan). Following her graduation and a one year stint with the Central Bohemia Symphonic Orchestra at Poděbrady she joined the Czech Radio Symphonic Orchestra with which she remained until 1999 and several years she was member of Prague’s State Opera Orchestra. Since 1989 she has also been pursuing managerial and production...

Rudolf Sternadel

Rudolf Sternadel Violin, viola, chamber music (Canada, Czech Republic) Born in Prague, Rudolf Sternadel started violin lessons at the age of five. He completed his Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto in 1991 under Prof. David Zafer. He then enrolled at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, where he studied violin with Prof. Václav Snítil and chamber music with Prof. Lubomír Kostecký of the Smetana Quartet. During his stay in Europe, Rudolf also toured Germany and Italy as a member of the RIAS Jugendorchester, Berlin, and participated in several chamber music seminars. Upon returning to Canada in 1993, he enrolled at the University of Toronto, completing his Master of Music degree in September 1994 under the tutelage of Prof. Loránd Fenyves. Until October 2000, he was...

Ann Marie Pocklembo

Ann Marie Pocklembo Violin, Viola, Jazz, Orchestra cooperation "I am the Hamilton Township District High School Orchestra Director, with 30+ years of professional teaching experience. I have taught in the Hamilton Township School System for 28 years, and previously taught in the Monroe-Woodbury School District, in NY. I am also an adjunct professor at Mercer County Community College. As a professional freelance musician, I have performed around the world, and have concertized throughout the US, China, Italy, Russia, and the Czech Republic. I have performed in Carnegie Hall 16 times, and lead a busy freelance schedule in the evenings and on weekends. I love sharing my passion for music with my students, and I absolutely love being in the company of teenagers (my favorite age group!...

Věra Binarová

Věra Binarová Viola, chamber music Věra Binarová studied at the Conservatory in Pardubice and Academy of Music in Prague. She continued her studies in music at the School of Music in Vienna (Hochschule für Muzik) and through private lessons with Prof. Marie Hlounová. As part of her education, she attended interpretation courses (Germany, Austria) and played in the orchestra of the Yehudi Manuhin Foundation (France 1991-92). In 1994-2010, she was a solo violist at the Talich Chamber Orchestra where she performed in concerts in many European countries and Japan, and also participated in multiple CD recordings. Věra Binarová is also an active chamber musician. In 1998-2002, she was a member of the Jupiter string quartet and currently cooperates with the Capella Sancta Caecilia (Art Manager...

Petr Šporcl

Petr Šporcl Cello, Chamber music Petr Šporcl is one of the best contemporary cellists on the Czech music scene. He started playing the cello at the age of seven at the LŠU in České Budějovice with prof. R. Weisse. His extraordinary musical talent was evident from an early age and there could be no doubt about his future profession. He continued his studies at the Prague Conservatory in the class of prof. F. Pišinger and AMU in Prague with prof. D. Veise. During his studies at AMU, he was selected as one of thirty students from all over the world and received a scholarship offer in the USA. He became a student of S.M.U. Dallas, USA. He was a student of Ch. Adkins. He successfully completed his studies in the USA and received an "ARTIST CERTIFICATE IN CELLO". In 1995 he also successfully...

Dora Hájková

Dora Hájková cello Cellist Dora Hájková was born in Prague, she is a winner of many competitions (e.g. Bohuslav Martinů competition, Leoš Janáček competition in Brno and recipient of the Gustav Mahler Award). She works currently as a deputy of the cello concertmaster at the Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra and chamber performer. Since September 2022 she has also been a teacher at the Pilsen Conservatory. After she graduated from the Music Grammar School in Prague in the class of Hana Kočí, she studied the Faculty of Music and Dance of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague at MgA. Tomáš Strašil. She completed her education at the Dresden Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber at prof. Emil Rovner. During her studies, she completed two internships abroad within the Erasmus program,...

Tomáš Strašil

Tomáš Strašil Cello Tomas Strasil studied at the Prague Conservatory with P. Sadlo and at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Prague with R. Lojda. He participated in different master classes (A. Ariscuren, M. Roche, P. Wiespelway, A. May, F. Smetana, E. Rattay and J. Chuchro). He got a laureate title at the Beethoven Competition in Hradec and he was finalist at the Prix Mercury – Semmering Competition 1994. In 1994 – 2000, Tomas played as a concert master in the Suk Chamber Orchestra. As a soloist he has cooperated with a number of orchestras (Brucknerorchester Linz, North Bohemian Philharmonic of Teplice, Philharmonic of Hradec Kralove, Musici di Praga). He makes recordings for Czech Radio and has produced a number of solo and chamber music CDs. Tomas plays on the master...

Ondřej Štajnochr

Ondřej Štajnochr double bass After his audio engineering studies, he finished his studies at the Conservatoire in Prague (1997) and Jaroslav Ježek's Conservatoire in Prague (1996). Since 1996 - 2000 he has been studying at Dresdner Akademie für Alte Musik (Ch. Kyprianides, H. Branny, R. Boothby, S. Standage). Already during his studies, he has been playing with many leading jazz Czech musicians: Josef Vejvoda, Karel Růžička, Emil Viklický, Jan Knop, Štěpán Markovič, David Dorůžka, Roman Pokorný and many others. As a rhytm section he cooperated with several outstanding players, as Ken Peplowski, Magni Wenzel, Roscoe Mitchell, Benny Golbin, Benny Bailey, Matthias Bergmann and Uwe Plath. He recorded several jazz CD's with various artists (K.Růžička, J.Vejvoda, Bigband Radio Prague, R....

Elisabeth Möst

Elisabeth Möst flute Elisabeth Möst is an enthusiastic and sought-after interpreter of contemporary music beyond her loved conventional program has worked with many composers, including Violeta Dinescu, whose flute concerto was given its world premiere in Salzburg September 2018. Nikolai Badinski and W.A. Schultz have also dedicated works to her. Performing works by female composers is one of Mast's priorities she has set. Elisabeth Möst has performed as soloist and chamber musician in Europe, South America and USA. In 2009 she was the special guest of the flute festival in Lima, Peru. One engagement that was particularly dear to her was the Celebratory Concert in Brussels commemorating Austria joining the EU, for which she was chosen as a soloist and representative of her native...

Johanna C. Pennington

Johanna Cox Pennington Oboe, Chamber music An acclaimed performer and teacher, Johanna Cox Pennington has been the oboe professor at Louisiana State University School of Music since 2011 and a member of the Breckenridge Music Festival Orchestra since 2002. A graduate of Northwestern University and the Eastman School of Music, Pennington was chosen for Eastman’s Freiburg Exchange Program which took her to Germany to study with soloist Heinz Holliger at the Freiburg Musikhochschule. Of her solo debut at Carnegie Hall in 2005, the New York Concert Review stated, “…her technique is absolutely first rate, Miss Cox played with beautiful tone, even in the highest register and at the loudest dynamic. She is an oboist that any orchestra would be fortunate to have on its roster.” Pennington won...

Miloslav Tengler

Miloslav Tengler Clarinet, saxophone Miloslav Tengler studied clarinet at the Prague Conservatory where he graduated in 1979. He continued his education in recent years, when he completed an accredited school management study at the Faculty of Education of the Charles University. Since 1980 he has been teaching the young generation, and his pedagogy practice is more than 37 years long. Currently he works at Jan Hanuš Art Basic School as a director and a pedagogue (clarinet, saxophone and recorder). At the same time he is a teacher of woodwinds instruments at the Jaroslav Ježek School for the visually impaired (recorder, clarinet, saxophone, flute). In the past, he was a pedagogue at Jan Deyl Conservatory, a deputy director at the Gymnasium and Music School of the City of Prague, or was a...

Sancho Sánchez Gil

Sancho Sánchez Gil Clarinet Sancho Sánchez was born in Madrid. He began his musical studies with his father at the age of 6, who instilled in him an immense love of music as a child. At the age of thirteen, he entered the Royal Conservatory of Music of Madrid as an official student, finishing his higher studies in Clarinet and Chamber Music at the age of 18 with the great maestro Vicente Peñarrocha, with brilliant grades throughout the career and obtaining the Title of Superior Clarinet Professor. His subsequent training is based on the completion of advanced studies with Spanish clarinetists: Toni Goig, Ramón Barona, Miguel Espejo, José Antonio Tomás, Enrique Pérez, Justo Sanz, José Luís Estellés, Joan Enric Lluna, and european clarinetists: Juliam Farrell, Angela Malsbury, Antony Pay...

Kristín Mjöll Jakobsdóttir

Kristín Mjöll Jakobsdóttir Bassoon, Iceland Kristín Mjöll Jakobsdóttir holds a Master’s Degree from Yale School of Music where she studied with professor Arthur Weisberg, and a Certificate Diploma from Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam where she studied with Joep Terwey. She was working towards an Artist Diploma at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Ohio with William Winstead, when she moved to Hong Kong where she spent seven years working as a freelance bassoonist, including playing with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra 1991-1992 and teaching at the Hong Kong Academy of the Performing Arts. Kristín returned to her native Iceland in 1998 and is regularly on call with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera Orchestra, as well as being active in the local...

Angel Cheung

Angel Cheung Bassoon - Hong Kong Angel Cheung started her bassoon study at the Hong Kong Music Office with Mr. Thomas Chan. She furthered her music study in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with Mr. Kam Shui. Angel had received several scholarship during her study in academy, including Jacky Chan Music Scholarship, Berwang Music Course Scholarship (Austria) and Bayman Associate Scholarship. She is one of the most active bassoonist in Hong Kong and has been performed as a contract player and freelancer with different orchestras and chamber groups, such as the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra and Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra, Ebony Winds, Hong Kong Winds Kamerata, Hong Kong Virtuosi...

Steven Gross

Steven Gross French Horn Steven Gross is Professor of Horn and Head of the Wind, Brass and Percussion Area at the beachside campus of the University of California – Santa Barbara. He is also a former member of the Atlanta Symphony, National Symphony, Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, and for 24 years Principal Horn of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. At the age of 21, he won the First International Heldenleben Horn Competition. He is now Executive Director of the International Horn Competition of America, which has had winners from the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Hungarian State Opera orchestra, Barcelona Symphony, Empire Brass, St. Louis Symphony and other institutions. International solo appearances include the Orchester der Stadt Vöcklabruck in Austria, Moscow Conservatory,...

Joseph Ognibene

Joseph Ognibene French Horn and Trumpet - Iceland Joseph Ognibene was born and raised in Los Angeles and started studying music at the age of 7, first on the piano and later on the horn. He graduated cum laude from Pomona College and continued his studies at the Folkwang Hochschule für Musik in Essen under Hermann Baumann. Joseph Ognibene won a prize in the Prague spring international music competition 1978. After completing his graduate studies in Los Angeles, he was hired by the Symphony Orchestra and has often performed with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra as a soloist. Joseph Ognibene is a member of the Kammersveit Reykjavíkur, a founding member of the Reykjavík Wind Quintet and has made many recordings with them and SÍ on behalf of BIS, Naxos and Chandos. He performed as a soloist at...

Alexander Christianov

Alexander Christianov Composer, Jazz Pianist Alexander was born in Moscow, Russia. After graduated at Music School of Moscow State Conservatory of Tchaikovsky, he continued his study at Moscow State College of Moscow State Conservatory of Tchaikovsky, theoretical faculty and courses of jazz improvisation. He finished study at Russian Academy of Music of Gnesins, composers faculty (Prof. Boris Tchaikovsky) with diploma work - Concerto for Symphony Orchestra "Maximes" (by the work de La Rochefoucauld "Maximes") he obtained doctor diploma at the Russian Academy of Music of Gnesins. He completed his doctoral studies at the Academy with a final diploma thesis on the topic 'Use of modern electric musical instruments and software in the process of children's music education'. He won numerous...

Viktor V. Velát

Viktor Vítězslav Velát Collaborative piano Czech pianist of Russo-Ukrainian origin started playing the piano at the age of 6 in the class of Mgr. Marianna Khidirová at the ZUŠ Ilja Hurník (2001-2010). Later, he graduated from the music high school on Žižkov under the guidance of MgA. Hana Dvořáková (2010-2014). Subsequently, he completed his studies at the Prague Conservatory with honors, where he was in the class of MgA. Adam Skoumal (2014-2016), and finally, he completed his bachelor's studies in New York, USA, at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied under MgA. Alexander Mutuzkin (2016-2020). He is a laureate of many awards from international piano competitions in the Czech Republic, Italy, and the USA. Coming from a partially musical family, his maternal grandparents were...

Marie Vítová

Marie Vítová, collaborative piano Marie Vítová is a graduate of the Pardubice Conservatory and the Music Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague in the fields of piano and music management. Since completing her studies, she has devoted herself to piano pedagogy, chamber music and accompanist at the I. Hurník Music School - she has already won a number of awards in this field. In addition to practising music, she is also involved in scientific activities - after completing her doctoral studies in Business Economics and Management at the University of Economics in Prague, she works as an assistant professor and researcher in the field of art marketing. In 2010 she founded the chamber music festival Novofest and together with her husband she also organizes the Martin Piano...

Ana Brateljevič

Ana Brateljevič Arp, piano Ana Brateljević was born in Croatia, after her studies of harp and piano in Belgrade (Serbia) she continued her education by completing the Master program at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague at the class of prof. Jana Boušková. In June 2016, she successfully finished Ph.D. studies in Interpretation and Theory of interpretation - specialization in harp, at the same Academy. Since June 2016, she has been teaching chamber music, history of harp and harp at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. Ana Brateljević is a member of Czech National Symphony Orchestra and active as a harp and piano teacher at the Ilji Hurnika Music School in Prague. She collaborated with world esteemed musicians such as Ennio Morricone (61 concert), Andrea Bocelli (concerts and...

Lukáš Sommer

Lukáš Sommer Guitar, composition Lukáš Sommer is a Czech concert guitarist and prominent figure of the younger generation of composers. He studied the guitar and composition at the České Budějovice Conservatoire, the Prague Conservatoire, and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. He is the author of a unique guitar recital that comprises more than 30 works and is likened to a time-lapse document. He regularly performs in the Czech Republic and abroad. His compositions enjoy growing popularity in venues around the world (Chicago, Minnesota, Delhi, Manila, Florence, etc.). The mainstay of his work lies in music for orchestras and chamber ensembles, which is often commissioned by leading artists. He has written pieces for prestigious festivals, such as the Prague Spring, Opera Barga,...

Vojtech Szabó

Vojtech Szabó Accordion, piano, popular music Vojtech Szabó was born in Nové Zámky, Slovakia. He is considered one of the best accordionists in the Czech Republic and abroad. He resents the unpretentious virtuosity that tends to be inherent in people touching non-classical musical genres (Petr Veber: music critic). He is fully engaged in concert, pedagogical and compositional activities. He graduated from the Conservatory in Bratislava in the class Mgr. Art Nada Varínská. While studying classical play, he also devoted himself to jazz and Argentine accordion play. He performed alongside Slovak jazz leaders such as Peter Lipa, Jozef Brisuda, Andrej Šebo and others. After his studies in 2009 he moved to the Czech Republic, where he got an engagement in the Gitans Blancs group. It later...

Pavlína Senić

Pavlína Senić Singing Opera singer, Pavlína Senić, has deep Serbian roots with a unique and unmistakable voice. After graduating from the College of Music Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and after she finished her internship at the London Academy Guildhall School of Music, she accepted a position as a member of the Triad Siraels. This group consists of vocals, viola, piano and often perform both domestically and abroad. Their repertoire includes both contemporary and classical composers. Mrs. Senic is often cast in operettas due her versatility as an artist, dancer, dramatic performer or her skills reciting spoken word. North Bohemian Theatre of Opera and Ballet (Countess Marica by E. Kalman), Prague State Opera (Vivat operetta: Countess Marica by E. Kalman, Rosalinda from Die...

Lily Zhang

Lily Zhang Vocal (USA, China) Dr. Lily Zhang is voice professor in residence at Colorado State University, Pueblo, past Chair of Opera and Chorus Department of Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China and the first soprano to win the grand title “Top Ten Singers in China” three times. She is also the first Chinese voice professors to receive honorable doctorate degrees from three American universities. Lily sings in seven languages for both Eastern and Western opera performing a wide range of repertoire including most of the heroines. She has performed at venues throughout the world including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Hollywood Bowl, Smetana Hall, The Great Wall, China National Grand Theater, Shanghai Opera House, Tianjin Opera House and Taipei Zhong Shan Music Hall.

Tristan Michael Willems

Tristan Michael Willems Conductor, Jazz program, Brass winds Tristan Willems received his formal music education at Northwestern University where he studied with members of the Chicago Symphony obtaining the first degree ever granted from that institution in Woodwinds Performance. Subsequent studies were taken at New York University and the Conductor's Institute. His career has touched virtually all facets of the music industry; he has performed and composed for the theatre, been a member of various orchestras in the United States (performing on Bassoon, Clarinet, Oboe and Saxophone), is the author of over five hundred compositions and arrangements, owns a music publishing house (Brazinmusikanta Publications and Willemsmusiik), has been vice-president of Jeffrey James Arts Consultants...

Jan Rezek

Jan Rezek Conductor, cellist Jan Rezek was born on November 11, 1982, in Karlovy Vary. He studied cello at the Prague Conservatory, graduating from Vladan Kočí's class. He further pursued conducting at the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory under Hynek Farkač and studied choral conducting along with music education at the Faculty of Education, Charles University, under the guidance of Marek Štryncl and Miriam Němcová. He also graduated from the Catholic Theological Faculty at Charles University with a degree in theological studies. Jan was engaged at the J.K. Tyl Theatre in Plzeň as a conductor of the operetta and musical ensemble. During his studies, he developed a wide range of musical styles from classical to contemporary modern popular music. He has conducted the Prague Film Orchestra...

Shuwei Cooper Yuan

Shuwei Cooper Yuan Jazz guitar, China Shuwei Cooper Yuan first started playing the guitar very early at the age of 9 and quickly found it's style through transcribing the arrangements of guitar legends like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. At the age of 17 the young talent started studying jazz guitar at the Berklee Music College with John Finn and Wayne Krantz, achieving his bachelor degree at the age of 21. After that he moved to New York and played his first sessions with legends like Steve Lukather, Stanley Clarke and Tal Wilkenfeld. Coming back to his homecountry, he later started working in Peking as a studio guitarist for 1,5 years with various pop singers, playing with free jazz guitarist David Michelle and in a metal band called „Sirene in Flames“. At the age of 24 he moved to...

Jaemin Lee

Jaemin Lee Drums, South Korea Jaemin Lee, born in Seoul, South Korea, graduated from the Groningen Conservatory of Music in the Netherlands with a master's degree in drums. Master's degree completed in New York, 2015 He regularly performed at New York's, Europe and Asia Jazz Club. In 2016, he founded the band The Seventh Monk and published a band album in the Netherlands. He came to Shanghai, China in 2017 as a spokesperson for Dixon Global Artists. How He is working as Foreign Professor in Popular music department of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music in China, Hangzhou.

Magdaléna Gracerová Chrzová

Magdaléna Gracerová Chrzová Creative program for children Magdaléna Gracerová Chrzová studied music and drama at the Prague Conservatory and educational playwright at the Theatre Faculty of the AMU. In the years 2000-2001 she completed a drama therapy course in the ASSOCIATION FOKUS PRAHA. As an actress, she has appeared in theatre, television and film. He has been engaged in pedagogical activities since 1996, first at the Elementary Art School and currently teaches stage language at DAMU, drama education at the Prague Conservatory and theatre clubs at DDM Praha 7.

Viktori Rampal Dzurenko

Viktori Rampal Dzurenko Fine Art Creative Program She was born in a small town in Slovakia, but her life took her through Prague and the study of film directing at FAMU all the way to India. She is a painter, film director, teacher of painting, film directing and film language. She is filming feature films and documentaries and video clips, and is currently preparing her feature-length debut in international co-production (more about her work on www.viktori.cz). In the film profession, she mostly works with her Indian husband, editor and producer Ranjan Rampal. Viktori loves art, colour, filmmaking, travel and her life is constantly on the move. Teaching is an interactive process in which mutual enrichment and transfer of life experiences take place.