BASIC INFORMATION
WHEN?
28.06.2026 - 04.07.2026
WHERE?
Górka Castle Museum in Szamotuły
COST?
From 1900 zł
*Price does not include accommodation or meals
Recruitment
Recruitment for the XXII Cello Masterclass runs from 1 April to 12 May 2026. To participate, applicants must register within the specified deadline and pay a registration fee of 200 PLN. Results will be announced on 15 May 2026.
After recruitment closes, accepted participants will receive detailed information regarding next steps and course organisation. If a participant is not accepted, the registration fee will be refunded.
Individual Lessons
Participants of the XXII Cello Masterclass will take part in a course consisting of 4 individual lessons. All participants and parents/guardians have free access to programme activities such as lectures and concerts.
After recruitment, it is possible to purchase additional lessons with teachers who have available time slots.
Accommodation and Meals
The course fee of 1,900 PLN does not include accommodation or meals. It is possible to purchase a stay at the dormitory of the 1st High School named after Piotr Skarga in Szamotuły, which will be adapted for participants during the course and is located approximately 15 minutes on foot from Górka Castle Museum, where the classes take place.
Accommodation is available in the following options:
650 PLN – place in a triple room
750 PLN – place in a triple room with private bathroom
850 PLN – place in a double room
950 PLN – place in a double room with bathroom
1,400 PLN – double room with bathroom for exclusive use (for a participant with a parent/guardian).
All options include full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Who the Course is For
Any student of a Music School of the 1st or 2nd degree, student or graduate of a Music Academy aged 7–35 may participate.
Participants who have not yet turned 16 on the first day of the course must attend with a parent or guardian.
Participants aged 16–18 may attend independently with written parental/guardian consent.
Up to 40 of the best cellists in their respective age categories will be accepted. If a participant is not accepted, the registration fee will be fully refunded.
FACULTY
prof. Justus Grimm
A German cellist born in 1970 in Hamburg. A world-renowned soloist and chamber musician, permanently employed as a lecturer and artistic director at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Antwerp. He has performed in many of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Cologne Philharmonic, the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the Athenaeum Bucharest, the Munich Hercules Hall, and the Cultural Centre in Lisbon.
prof. Maciej Mazurek
A cellist and teacher at the I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań. Since 1988 he has been a member of the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra under Agnieszka Duczmal. Since 1998 he has been a co-founder of the "Wieniawski" quartet, with which he regularly performs. In 2013 he obtained his post-doctoral degree (habilitation). He is a recipient of artistic awards and the author of numerous recordings for Polish Radio.
Tomasz Lisiecki, PhD
A Polish cellist, graduate of the I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, the Universität der Künste in Berlin, masterclasses at the Bach–Händel Akademie in Karlsruhe, and studied in Warsaw under Prof. Kazimierz Michalik. Currently a lecturer at the I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań.
Michał Balas, MA
A cellist from Kraków, among the leading young musicians. He performs on prestigious stages across Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland. A laureate of international competitions, including the "Classic Strings Competition" and the "Johansen International Competition." Awarded the title "Classic FM 30 under 30 Rising Stars."
Anna Skibińska-Haponiuk, MA
Since 1994 she has been teaching at the Karol Szymanowski State Music School Complex No. 4 in Warsaw, where she currently serves as head of the strings, harp, and accordion section. Since 2015 she has also taught at the Karol Kurpiński State Music School No. 4 in Warsaw. She leads workshops and lectures on cello teaching methodology for students and teachers, and serves on the juries of national and international cello competitions.