"Crossing bows" is an intensive course bringing together Nordic and Baltic classical cello students and teachers to strengthen artistic expression and professional qualifications and enhance pedagogical methods. The project aimed to put a strong emphasis on instrumental and artistic development as well as openness and flexibility and ability to work collaboratively with other musicians in diverse cross-cultural settings.

The first session of "Crossing bows" took place 17 - 22 February 2024, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and brought together nearly 40 cello professors and students from the Nordic and Baltic countries and guests from Brazil. The programme included individual lessons, workshops and ensemble practice and concluded with a concert featuring a cello orchestra consisting of all participants.

Lessons and masterclasses were given by Henrik Brendstrup (Denmark), Sigurður Bjarki Gunnarsson (Iceland), Ēriks Kiršfelds (Latvia), Gleb Pyšniak (Lithuania), special guest Fabio Presgrave (Brazil) and Henry-David Varema (Estonia).

The second session of the project will be organised in February 2025 at EAMT.

Project partners
Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (coordinator)
Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus
Icelandic University of the Arts
Latvian Academy of Music
Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre