The Global
Artist Diploma
Advanced career pathway for next-generation musicians
- 1:1 studio mentors
- Portfolio enhancement
- Star-led masterclasses
- Career development
- Elite artist training
- Global residencies
Fellows in Action
Over six months, fellows work closely with principal players from leading international orchestras, renowned soloists, and working conductors and composers at the top of their fields.
The cohort is small and international, drawn from more than 40 countries.
The curriculum centers on advanced technique and musicianship, alongside audition preparation, media training, professional networking, and career development.
The immersive learning journey combines globally accessible live mentoring and coursework with in-person international residencies, giving Fellows close access to leading artists while building a powerful peer network of career professionals.
Orchestra Institute
Train with soloists and principals from the world's top ensembles
Conducting Fellowship
Prepare to helm professional orchestras and shape the future of stage leadership
Composing Studio
Join a creative community of field-shaping composers and industry-leading mentors
Piano Lab
Receive individualized mentoring from one of today’s most dynamic soloists
Why OAcademy?
The Global Artist Diploma growth journey is built on a simple philosophy: learning happens live, in small groups, and through two equally important roles - protagonist and observer.
Fellows grow by performing, receiving direct feedback, and testing ideas in real time. They also grow by observing others, listening critically, and reflecting alongside peers. The program is designed around the belief that watching great teaching unfold can be just as powerful as being the focus.
Impact on Fellows
The schedule involves approx. 6 hours of live group sessions per week, plus regular studio classes and independent practice.
The Piano Lab runs on a curated individual schedule throughout 12 months.
Studio Classes — Bi-weekly small-group sessions with your Studio Head focused on technique, repertoire, interpretation, and peer feedback.
Masterclasses — Weekly sessions with leading soloists, principals, and orchestral artists. Each Fellow appears as lead artist three times.
Interpretive Studies — Sessions with international conductors exploring musical interpretation, orchestral repertoire, and artistic decision-making.
Collaborative Leadership Lab — Workshops on musical communication, ensemble leadership, rehearsal dynamics, and collaboration in orchestral and chamber settings.
Creative Trajectories & Public Presence — Practical career sessions on artistic identity, CVs, social media, public profile, and pitching to presenters.
Applied Performance Psychology — Science-based tools for managing performance anxiety, building resilience, strengthening focus, and optimizing practice.
Frameworks for Impact — Training in creative entrepreneurship, project design, audience development, and building artistic initiatives with relevance beyond the stage.
Professional Juries — Live assessment before an international panel of leading industry and arts-world figures, with detailed feedback and grading.
Immersive Residencies — In-person intensives with rehearsals, workshops, performances, and cultural exchange in leading international music centers.
Nikki Chooi — Buffalo Philharmonic Concertmaster
Shari Mason — National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico Concertmaster
Timothy Chooi — Joachim Competition Winner
Viola
Milan Milisavljević — The MET Opera Principal
Sara Ferrández — Mutter Virtuosi
Tal First — The MET Opera Assistant Principal
Cello
Rebecca Gilliver — London Symphony Orchestra Principal
Raphaela Gromes — Sony Artist
Ilmari Hopkins — Stavanger Symphony Co-Principal
Double Bass
Dominic Seldis — Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Principal
Lorraine Campet — Paris Opera Principal
Sasha Witteveen — Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra Principal
Flute
Kelly Zimba Lukić — Toronto Symphony Principal
Leone Buyse — Boston Symphony Orchestra former Principal
Zofia Neugebauer — Berlin Classics Artist
Oboe
Hélène Devilleneuve — Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France Principal
Alexander Krimer — Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Clarinet
Jessica Phillips — The MET Opera
Arno Piters — Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Solo E-flat
Michael Webster — Rochester Philharmonic former Principal
Bassoon
Simon Van Holen — Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Trumpet
Matilda Lloyd — Aubier Competition Winner
Pacho Flores — Deutsche Grammophon Artist
Horn
Michelle Baker — The MET Opera former
Hugo Valverde — The MET Opera
Kateřina Javůrková — Czech Philharmonic
Trombone
Martin Schippers — Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Harp
Elizabeth Hainen — Philadelphia Orchestra Principal
Percussion
Beibei Wang — Royal Academy Honoree
Rob Knopper — The MET Opera
Gabriela Jiménez — Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería Principal
Conducting
Carlos Miguel Prieto — North Carolina Symphony Music Director
Composing
Gabriela Ortiz — 4x Grammy Award Winner
Piano
Gabriela Montero — Latin Grammy Winner
The Orchestra Institute residency takes place annually in July & August. Piano Lab residencies take place across the year. The Composing Studio residency takes place annually in March. Conducting Fellowship residencies take place across the year on an individual basis.
Residencies are not required to complete The Global Artist Diploma.
For Fellows applying for residencies, OAcademy covers core on-site costs, including shared accommodation, meals, and local transportation.
Fellows are responsible for airfare and a small insurance fee.
All accepted fellows receive an OA bursary covering 70% of tuition.
Fellows pay only the remaining 30%.
Conducting Fellowship Artist Diploma
Full tuition: $14,350 USD
OA bursary: - $10,050 USD
Fellow fee: $4,300 USD
Composing Studio Artist Diploma
Full tuition: $13,170 USD
OA bursary: - $9,220 USD
Fellow fee: $3,950 USD
Orchestra Institute Artist Diploma
Full tuition: $10,700 USD
OA bursary: - $7,490 USD
Fellow fee: $3,210 USD
Piano Lab Artist Diploma
Full tuition: $10,000 USD
OA bursary: - $7,000 USD
Fellow fee: $3,000 USD
Faculty Snapshot
Global Residencies
Alumni Impact
Get invited
Global candidates register interest in applying to join the 2027 cohort.
The Artist Diploma is open to musicians of any nationality and background already working in the field and ready for the mentorship, exposure, and development that takes a career to the next level.
Qualified registrants who are invited to apply receive detailed audition requirements.
The selection process for the Orchestra Institute and Piano Lab involves a follow-up interview with select candidates after receiving and evaluating their audition materials.
Fellowships are awarded on a rolling basis to top-scoring candidates.
Accepted Fellows must submit a tuition deposit to secure their place in the Cohort. Enrollment is confirmed only upon receipt of this payment. All tuition payments are nonrefundable.