An international meeting place for musicians in Paris
Each summer, the International Music Academy of Paris brings together young musicians from around the world in the prestigious setting of the École Normale de Musique Alfred Cortot.
For ten intensive days, internationally renowned professors and students share individual lessons, masterclasses, chamber music workshops and concerts, in an atmosphere of artistic rigor and emulation.
Beyond teaching, the Academy is a place of encounters, exchanges and inspiration, where future paths and common projects begin to take shape in the lives of young artists.
International Professors
Guest artists and teachers from major conservatories and universities, recognized for their high standards and attentive guidance.
Intensive Rythm
Individual lessons, masterclasses, chamber music workshops and public auditions over ten days.
Festival within the Academy
Free concerts open to the public, highlighting young talents alongside their professors, in some of Paris’s most exceptional venues.
Teaching
Courses include individual lessons with guest professors (minimum of 4 lessons during the session), public masterclasses, chamber music workshops, and personal practice time.
Repertoire is freely chosen by the participant, in agreement with the assigned professor.
The program is primarily intended for students enrolled in higher education (Master’s level) or young artists on a professional path. It is also open, upon selection, to advanced conservatory students (third cycle level) as well as advanced amateurs with a strong artistic project and motivation.
Daily Schedule
The schedule is communicated at the beginning of the session (subject to pedagogical adjustments). The calendar of lessons is established together with the chosen professor at the start of the Academy. Each student receives individual lessons during the session, and may also freely attend all other classes as an auditor. The teaching approach itself is left to the discretion of each professor, who organizes it according to the size of the class and artistic focus.
Lessons take place at the École Normale de Musique Alfred Cortot. The Academy provides each student, as well as accompanying parents for underage participants, with a personal access badge.
Throughout the day, lessons, personal practice, concerts and auditions follow one another at a sustained pace. The commitment of every participant is required for the Academy to run smoothly.
Languages of instruction: French and English.
Studios & Accompaniment
Studios are available every day on a rotating schedule. The Academy guarantees a minimum of two hours of reserved practice time per day for each student.
Accompaniment (piano/strings/voice) is provided by the Academy’s pianists for lessons or auditions when required.
Concerts and festival
Students may be scheduled to take part in public auditions and concerts linked to the Academy’s festival, at the professors’ discretion.
All concerts are free and open to the public. They take place in various venues across Paris, primarily in the Salle Cortot, a concert hall renowned for its history and outstanding acoustics.
Teaching material and practice studios
Each participant comes with the repertoire they wish to work on and, if necessary, provides the accompanists with the corresponding sheet music.
For pianists: details about rooms and schedules will be provided by the Academy at the beginning of the session. The practice studios are located within the École Normale de Musique and are equipped with upright or grand pianos.
Accommodation and meals
Accommodation and meals are not provided by AIM Paris and must be arranged individually by each participant. For information purposes only, participants may wish to consult the MIJE youth hostels in central Paris, which may be a convenient and budget-friendly option for some students; further information is available on the official MIJE website. Many other accommodation options of all categories and price ranges are also available in the 17th arrondissement, near the École Normale de Musique de Paris, as well as in other parts of the city. Any reference to third-party accommodation is provided solely for information and does not constitute a recommendation, booking service, or contractual commitment on the part of AIM Paris, which declines all responsibility for the services offered by such providers.
Rules & Guidelines
The Academy provides an internal set of rules, outlining all regulations applicable during the session. Students are expected to read and comply with these guidelines, available here.
Key Dates
| Session | July 16–25, 2026 Student welcome: July 16 at 9:30 am End of classes: July 25 at 12:00 pm |
| Opening of applications: | October 15, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | May 30, 2026, or until the requested class is full. |
| Confirmation of Enrollment | Applicants are notified by email within a maximum of 15 working days after submitting their application. Upon confirmation, registration fees must be paid immediately to secure the place. |
A Glimpse of the Academy
Tuition & Applications
Selection is based on an application file (artistic CV and audio/video excerpts).
Detailed information regarding tuition fees, possible scholarships, and payment methods is provided on the application page.