THE CUBAN-EUROPEAN YOUTH ACADEMY
– an innovative exchange programme
The Cuban-European Youth Academy (CuE) is designed to help Cuban and European musicians continue their education. Participants from Europe and Cuba work together on transatlantic orchestral projects and workshops and are also taught by distinguished lecturers. To complement their training in their own country, they get to know a new musical culture and work ethic.
The Cuban-European Youth Academy was founded by Thomas Hengelbrock and the Balthasar Neumann Academy in 2014. Since then cooperation between the Balthasar Neumann Academy and the relevant cultural institutions on Cuba has been progressively extended.
Since the summer of 2015 the Cuban-European Youth Academy has been supported by the German Foreign Office and by the German foreign secretary.
“I would like to thank the Balthasar Neumann Choir and Ensemble for the successful and long-time commitment for the cultural exchange between Cuba and Germany. The project is not only enriching for the musicians and for the audience, but also for the bilateral relations between Germany and Cuba that can build on the trust and network created.”
HEIKO MAAS, German foreign secretary and PATRON of the Cuban-European Youth Academy
The Cuban-European Youth Academy stands for transatlantic cultural exchange, for cooperation and youth sponsorship, for give and take, for hospitality and for permanence and continuity in education. Making music together provides all the participants with stimulating new ideas: the works that they rehearse introduce the participants to their respective musical cultures, while performing together encourages listening, acceptance, sensitivity and openness.
The Cuban-European Youth Academy features various exchange projects and opportunities for further training and development:
In November 2023, a wide range orchestra project will be organized at the Autumn Festival in Baden-Baden: Young musicians from all over Europe and from Cuba, the Balthasar Neumann Orchestra, Thomas Hengelbrock and tutors will work together at: CONNEXIÓN 2023