ANAM’s Performance Program is a bespoke 12-month non-accredited program designed to meet the optimum developmental requirements of each individual musician. On successful completion of the year’s activities, musicians may reapply (annually) for up to two years’ further study.
ANAM has developed a quality performance training program delivered by an esteemed faculty of professional musicians. The program incorporates extensive face-to-face and online training that will connect you with creatives around the world. The structure includes:
- Studio Program
- Chamber Music
- Ensemble and Orchestral performance
- Musician Enhancement
- International Academy Partnerships
Scroll down for more information on each area
ANAM Scholarship
All ANAM tuition, coaching and program costs are covered by a full scholarship. This means other than the fees listed below, ANAM’s funding from the Commonwealth government and philanthropy pay entirely for your tuition– making ANAM the only institution in Australia of its kind.
Musicians are required to cover the cost of their own instrument/s and maintenance (including the provision of strings, reeds / cane, bow rehair etc) and insurance/s.
The only up-front cost to musicians is the ANAM Services Fee of AU$500, which is deducted in four equal instalments from Financial Assistance Payments.
Financial Assistance
Enrolled musicians are eligible to apply for monthly Financial Assistance during the ANAM year (beginning of Term 1 to end of Term 4). There are two components of assistance; Living Assistance, and Rental Assistance. Each application is calculated on an individual basis up to a capped amount and is means-tested.
New musicians may also apply also for a Relocation Expense Reimbursement. This is a means-tested, one-off cash contribution that may be available to those who are based outside Melbourne in the year prior to commencing study at ANAM. Proof of costs are required and payments are capped.
Studio Program
Lessons
Violin, Viola, Cello and Piano – up to 24* hours / semester
All other instruments – up to 16* hours / semester
*first year allocation
Instrument Class
All musicians (excluding piano and percussion) will attend regular Instrument Classes (approximately 14 per semester) presented by Faculty and guest artists.
Section Class
All musicians will attend weekly Section Classes (strings, winds, brass, piano, percussion). Content of each class will vary, based on the needs of the program.
Performance Class
Performance Class provides the opportunity for musicians to perform repertoire for their peers in a simulated concert environment, stage-managed by their colleagues, with feedback provided by Faculty.
Masterclasses
ANAM presents a series of in-house and public masterclasses throughout the year presented by some of the world's great instrumentalists and ensembles and in partnership with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Musica Viva Australia.
Recitals
All musicians curate and perform one 50-minute public recital each year.
Concerto Competition
Musicians are required to enter the annual Concerto Competition at least once during their time at ANAM. The Final is performed in Hobart with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra at Federation Concert Hall, and recorded by ABC Classic.
Chamber Music
Performing chamber music is a key part of the program. Enabling a culture of chamber music making across the ANAM cohort, each musician will be rostered onto ensembles that will receive coaching throughout the year. The aim is for every musician to be equipped with the skills to rehearse and operate in an ensemble, hone their aural awareness, and utilise these ensemble skills when performing across all situations.
Ensembles will perform regularly at ANAM including in intimate events in private homes to concerts in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria, Beleura House and Garden, Scots' Church on Collins St, St Silas, Melbourne Australian Digital Concert Hall and many others.
Ensemble and Orchestral Performance
Musicians will perform in large ensemble and orchestral performances with ANAM Faculty and guest artists. Concerts are presented by ANAM and also in partnership with major performing organisations including Melbourne Recital Centre, as part of its Mostly Mozart series; and performances presented as ‘Side by Side’ projects with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and West Australian Symphony Orchestra. Orchestral performance skills will also be developed in section classes, through readings of orchestral repertoire, and audition training.
Musician Enhancement
ANAM presents a range of activities to accompany the performance training, these activities are considered essential to becoming well-rounded musicians.
Health and Wellbeing
Recognising the challenge of maintaining a healthy mind and body as a performer, these sessions cater for a broad spectrum as well as specific instrumental issues, regarding the physical and mental implications of being a performer. Sessions aim to provide musicians with the tools to deal with the preparation and on-going care of mind and body, including advice on how to prevent or treat injury and manage pain, and ways to manage performance anxiety. ANAM works closely with a team of psychologists and leading professionals in the health and wellbeing area.
Professional Development
Presented by acknowledged authorities in their field, these activities include Q&A and opportunities to discuss the many, and varied, career options for life after ANAM and to build your own professional connections with performers, composers, presenters and industry professionals.
Community Engagement
Led by music educator Karen Kyriakou, all musicians will have the chance to be involved in various ANAM community engagement programs including the in-schools program and community concerts. Musicians will learn skills to present and workshop in accessible and engaging ways for their audience.
International Academy Partnerships
ANAM is proud to have an international reputation for training the very best young classical musicians. This reputation has led to partnerships with major orchestral Academies in Europe that offer exclusive opportunities to ANAM musicians and alumni. ANAM also collaborates with The Colburn School (Los Angeles), Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London), Royal College of Music (London), and The Sibelius Academy (Helsinki).
Mahler Chamber Orchestra Academy (MCO Academy)
MCO offers ANAM musicians a high-quality orchestral experience and a unique platform for networking and international exchange. In addition to audition training, individual coaching and orchestral playing, MCO also includes chamber music workshops, which emphasise its characteristic chamber music approach to music-making. Applications for the 2025 program will close on 25 August 2024.
For further information visit mahlerchamber.com/learning/professional-training/mco-academy
Karajan Academy of the Berliner Philharmoniker
ANAM's Eva Besen Scholarship to the Karajan Academy facilitates a two-year position for an outstanding musician to attend the Karajan Academy on full scholarship. Recent participants include Harry Bennetts (violin) 2016-18, Riley Skevington (violin) 2018-20, Harry Ward (violin) 2021-23, and Phoebe Gardner (violin) 2023-25. The next round of applications will be announced in 2025 for a position that would start 1 September 2025.
For further information visit berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/academy
Bayerisches Staatsorchester Hermann Levi Academy
Generously supported by Jane Hansen AO. ANAM facilitates a two-year position for a current ANAM musician or alumni at The Bayerisches Staatsorchestrer’s Hermann Levi Academy in Munich. Recent participants include Johnny van Gend (violin) 2019-21 and Mana Ohashi (violin) 2023-24. The next round of applications will be announced in 2025 for a position that would start 15 October 2025.
For further information visit https://www.staatsoper.de/en/hermann-levi-academy