This year, we are pleased to present "ICon Arts Transylvania 2026," a special summer music program held amidst the beautiful scenery of Transylvania, Romania.

ICon Arts Transylvania is an international music academy held in the villages of Transylvania, Romania. Young musicians from all over the world gather to learn music through concerts and cultural experiences, while receiving lessons from renowned instructors.

You can find more information about ICon Arts on their official website.
Official website:https://iconarts.ro/

Those who have received the "ICon Arts Award (waiver of participation fee)" at the Romania International Music Competition have the opportunity to participate in this program. If you have previously had difficulty traveling due to the COVID-19 pandemic or if the dates did not work out and you had to postpone your participation, why not consider it again this year?

ICon Arts is more than just a workshop to hone your skills. It's a summer academy where you stay in historic villages in Transylvania, take lessons, practice, listen to concerts, and experience the local culture and food. Music and life intertwine in close proximity.

2026 host city

A slightly different experience from typical Japanese "music seminars."

In Japan, when people hear the term "music seminar," many might imagine a place where they spend their days from morning till night indoors, focusing on lessons and practice to improve their skills.

Of course, individual lessons and practice time are highly valued at ICon Arts. However, that's not all that takes up the day. The setting is the old villages of Transylvania, including the World Heritage site of Biertan. Churches, hillside landscapes, and the quiet atmosphere of the villages—the environment itself influences the time spent engaging with music.

Reading sheet music, producing sounds, and receiving advice from a teacher—in between, walking through historic villages, feeling the scents and light of the land—these experiences, separate from performance technique, broaden one's range of expression.

Daily schedule: Lessons, practice, walks, concerts

A day at ICon Arts revolves around music, but also includes time to experience the local culture and nature.

In the mornings, you'll receive individual lessons from experienced professors. In a different environment than usual, you can receive advice from the perspectives of teachers and performers from overseas.

In the afternoons, in addition to individual practice time, there is also time to visit World Heritage villages and stroll around the surrounding area. You practice while organizing the words you received in the lessons. Sometimes you walk outside, experience the buildings and scenery, and think away from music for a while. This kind of space is also a characteristic of this program.

In the evenings, you'll have the opportunity to listen to concerts by the instructors and outstanding participants. Listening to other musicians' performances is just as important as playing yourself; it's an integral part of the learning process.

There will also be time to sample traditional local cuisine. Experiencing Romania through its food culture is an entry point to discovering aspects of the land that cannot be seen through music alone.

Application categories for fiscal year 2026

For the 2026 academic year, the available courses are listed as violin, cello, clarinet, percussion, and cello for children. In some years, double bass and piano courses may also be offered.

On the final day, participants will have the opportunity to showcase the results of their hard work, and an official diploma (certificate of completion) will be awarded upon completion. Although it is a short period, the program is structured in a way that connects lessons, practice, presentations, and appreciation.

To date, nine artists who have won awards in this competition have participated in ICon Arts. The opportunities gained through the competition have led to overseas lessons, performances, and cultural experiences, which have been of great significance to the winners.

Three excellent teachers from Japan, who served as judges in this competition, have been invited to the site as instructors. For those participating in an overseas program for the first time, having a connection to Japan will be reassuring.

Touching the "joy of music" that lies beyond technology

The time spent at ICon Arts isn't just about looking at sheet music.

Experiencing the local culture firsthand. Spending time with fellow musicians and friends from all over the world. Bringing the advice I received in lessons back into my own music amidst the Transylvanian landscape.

These experiences don't always manifest immediately in a clearly visible way in one's performance. Nevertheless, they become a time to cultivate depth of expression and sensitivity as one continues to pursue music.

From our perspective as an association, based on our experience visiting the site, we feel that ICon Arts is an academy that reminds us of the fundamentals of music. It is a place where refining technique and enjoying music, learning about culture and reflecting on one's own performance, are naturally intertwined.

Learning opportunities abroad through competitions

The Romania International Music Competition is not only a judging platform, but also a gateway to further learning and exchange.

For those who have won the ICon Arts Award, this program is a way to expand the opportunities gained through the competition into overseas experiences. Spending time in Transylvanian villages and meeting teachers and other participants through music is something that is difficult to obtain in a typical practice environment.

To all the award winners, why not take this special opportunity to rediscover your music amidst the beautiful scenery of Transylvania?

We sincerely look forward to your participation.

For inquiries, please contact the following email address.
romaniastaffdata@gmail.com