IMTEX Online Summer Academy 2026 – July 8 to August 19, 2026
Professional Development • International Faculty • Online

Welcome to the IMTEX Summer Academy 2026

It is our great pleasure to welcome violin, viola, cello and string teachers from around the world to the IMTEX Summer Academy 2026.

International lecturers from Suzuki, Rolland and traditional string pedagogy backgrounds will share practical teaching ideas, artistic perspectives and experience-based approaches to long-term musical development.

The Academy combines live online events, pre-recorded video lectures and professional development courses in a warm and internationally connected learning environment.

Through the Summer Academy, we hope not only to support teachers professionally, but also to benefit Ukrainian music teachers, their students, and families.

Summer Academy Overview

The events of the Summer Academy 2026 are divided into three categories:

I. Live Lectures via ZOOM II. Pre-recorded Video Lectures III. Professional Development Courses

Three Registration Options

Choose the participation option that best fits your interests, schedule and professional goals.

1. Summer Academy Complete

ACCESS TO ALL live Zoom lectures, pre-recorded video lectures and professional development courses.

350 € / $350

More than 50 hours of professional development.

Info & Registration

2. Summer Academy Selection

SELECT SIX LECTURES OR COURSES from the Summer Academy program.

A flexible option for teachers wishing to focus on specific areas of interest.

198 € / $198

Info & Registration

3. Individual Registration

REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL LECTURES OR COURSES according to your professional interests.

Ideal for teachers with limited time or a specific area of focus.

Prices vary by lecture or course

See individual lecture and course pages for details.

Info & Registration

Scholarships / Financial Assistance

A. In cases of financial hardship, a limited number of partial scholarships may be available for teachers who wish to participate in the Summer Academy.

B. Ukrainian music teachers currently living in Ukraine are welcome to attend all Summer Academy events FREE OF CHARGE.

For scholarship inquiries, please contact:
Stefan Kalkbrenner
dsi@imtex-online.com

I. Live Zoom Lectures

Can't attend a session live?

► LIVE OR LATER ◄
All Live Zoom Lectures Are Recorded

Registered participants receive access to all recordings and may watch them later at their convenience.

July 2026
No. 1Wednesday, July 8 • 7:00–8:30 PM Berlin timeOpening SessionFree of charge
Bringing Future Preparation, Current Repertoire and Review into Harmony
Building Ability Through Practice Chains
Kerstin Wartberg · Arjada Hasanaj · Margherita Biederbick
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

No. 2Thursday, July 9 • 7:00–8:00 PM Berlin time
Developing Intonation in Violin Teaching
From First Principles to Advanced Practice
Dr. Claudio Forcada
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

No. 3Sunday, July 12 • 7:00–8:00 PM Berlin time
Shifting
Building a Solid Foundation in Violin Playing
Dr. Claudio Forcada
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

No. 4Monday, July 13 • 1:00 PM CDT / 8:00 PM Berlin
Music for Babies and Young Children
First Steps in Violin Learning
Elizabeth Zempel
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

No. 5Wednesday, July 15 • 1:00 PM CDT / 8:00 PM Berlin
Creative Concert Ideas for Young Children
Elizabeth Zempel
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

No. 6Saturday, July 18 • 9:00–10:15 AM PST
Helping Students Build Focus & Attention
Christine Goodner
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

Cello Technique Series
No. 7A–7D FOUR-PART CELLO SERIES
Building Strong Foundations in Cello Playing
A Step-by-Step Technical Framework for Suzuki Books 1 & 2
Tapalin Charoensook

Part 1

Tuesday, July 21
9:00–10:30 AM CDT

Part 2

Wednesday, July 22
9:00–10:30 AM CDT

Part 3

Tuesday, July 28
9:00–10:30 AM CDT / 4:00 PM Berlin

Part 4

Wednesday, July 29
9:00–10:30 AM CDT
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

August 2026
No. 8Monday, August 3 • 12:00 Noon CDT / 7:00 PM Berlin
Reaching New Families for Music Learning
How to Communicate the Value of Early Instrumental Education
Paula Bird
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

No. 9A / 9B Special Two-Part Lecture Series August 5 • 12:00 Noon CDT / 7:00 PM Berlin August 12 • 12:00 Noon CDT / 7:00 PM Berlin
Recordings in Teaching and Home Practice

Part 1 · August 5 · 12:00 Noon CDT / 7:00 PM Berlin

Structured Practice and Musical Independence
Building Security, Understanding, and Progress through Recordings
Charles Krigbaum

Part 2 · August 12 · 12:00 Noon CDT / 7:00 PM Berlin

Creative Approaches to Teaching with Recordings
Practical Applications from International Teaching Perspectives
Kerstin Wartberg and International Violin Faculty
with contributions from
Margherita Biederbick · Kathryn Drake · Arjada Hasanaj · Verena Sophie Lauer · Meg Lanfear · Linda Piatt · Jessica Retana · Chloe Ross · Daina Volodka Staggs
Info & Registration

One shared Info & Registration page for both parts.

No. 10Thursday, August 13 • 12:00 Noon CDT / 7:00 PM Berlin
Unlocking Progress
Visual Tools that Empower Students
Linda Piatt & Jessica Retana
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

No. 11Monday, August 17 • 10:30 AM–12:30 PM CDTLive Teaching Session
Balancing Scales, Etudes and Repertoire
Live Teaching at the Intermediate Level + Q&A
Mimi Zweig
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

No. 12Wednesday, August 19Closing Lecture
From Twinkle to Tchaikovsky
Developing Musical Character and Expression from the Beginning
Kerstin Wartberg · Arjada Hasanaj · Margherita Biederbick
Info & Registration

Additional international time zones available on Info & Registration.

II. Pre-recorded Video Lectures

Access recordings at your own pace throughout the Summer Academy period.

This section includes recorded live Zoom sessions from previous Summer Academies as well as specially prepared pre-recorded video lectures.

Musical Development, Performance & Expression
No. 13 Pre-recorded Video Lecture 60 minutes
Empowering Violinists
A Strategic Approach to Confident and Safe Student Performances
Dr. Claudio Forcada
Info & Registration
No. 14 Pre-recorded Video Lecture 75 minutes
Developing Note Reading Skills in Violin Lessons
Efficient Strategies with Minimal Time Investment
Kerstin Wartberg · Polyiam Palitponganpim
Info & Registration
Mimi Zweig Collection
No. 15 Pre-recorded Video Lecture 120 minutes
The Art of Teaching Musical Expression
Helping Students Find Their Voice
Mimi Zweig
Info & Registration
No. 16 Pre-recorded Master Series 3 sessions 6 hours total
Striving for Excellence in Violin Playing
Mimi Zweig

Session One

The Initial Set-Up
120 minutes

Session Two

Developing Shifting and Vibrato
in the Early Stages · 120 minutes

Session Three

The Importance of a Repertoire Sequence
120 minutes
Info & Registration
Teaching Philosophy & Contemporary Suzuki Pedagogy
No. 17 Pre-recorded Two-Part Session 2 × 90 minutes 3 hours total
Introduction to Step by Step, Volumes 2A and 2B
A Contemporary Approach to Teaching the Suzuki Violin School, Volume 2
Charles Krigbaum

Part 1

Summary of Step by Step Volume 2A
90 minutes

Part 2

Summary of Step by Step Volume 2B
90 minutes
Info & Registration
No. 18 Pre-recorded Video Lecture 90 minutes
Suzuki Teaching Approach – Then and Now
Preserving Dr. Suzuki’s Vision while Meeting the Needs of Today’s Students
Kerstin Wartberg · Arjada Hasanaj
Info & Registration
Practical Teaching Ideas
No. 19 Pre-recorded Video Lecture 45 minutes
Violin Gymnastics
Teaching Ideas for Violin Students in Books 1–5
Margherita Biederbick · Arjada Hasanaj
Info & Registration
No. 20 English Version Pre-recorded Video Lecture
Free Movements and High-Quality Sound from the First Violin Lessons
Practical Ideas for Early Violin Teaching
Kateryna Zavalko
Info & Registration
No. 21 Ukrainian Version Pre-recorded Video Lecture
Вільні рухи та якісний звук з перших уроків гри на скрипці
Практичні ідеї для початкового навчання гри на скрипці
Kateryna Zavalko
Info & Registration

III. Professional Development Courses

Structured online courses for violin teachers of all backgrounds.

Courses may include pre-recorded training videos, recorded Zoom sessions, course materials and supplementary resources, depending on the individual program.

Step by Step Teacher Development
No. 22 Professional Development Course 6 sessions 9 hours total
Introduction to Step by Step, Volume 1A
A Contemporary Approach to Teaching the Suzuki Violin School, Volume 1, Part 1
Kerstin Wartberg · Charles Krigbaum · Daina Staggs

The online course consists of six pre-recorded session videos. Each session lasts 90 minutes. All participants will receive extensive course materials.

Info & Registration
Movement, Technique & Sound
No. 23 Professional Development Course 3 sessions 4.5 hours total
Music & Movement
A Program Developed for Young Violinists
Kerstin Wartberg · Arjada Hasanaj

The online course consists of three pre-recorded session videos. Each session lasts 90 minutes. All participants will receive extensive course materials.

Всі учасники отримають вичерпні матеріали курсу українською мовою.

Info & Registration
No. 24 Professional Development Course Video Tutorial + Recorded Live Zoom Session
Mastering the Key Bow Strokes
Practical Strategies for Violin and Viola Teaching
Kerstin Wartberg · Florin Iliescu

Part 1

Pre-recorded Video Tutorial

Part 2

Recorded Live Zoom Session
Info & Registration
International Violin Teacher Training
No. 25 International Teacher Training 3 sessions 4.5 hours total
Teaching the Bach A Minor Concerto
A Practice-Based Approach to Teaching Bach’s Violin Concerto in A Minor
Kerstin Wartberg · Margherita Biederbick · Charles Krigbaum

This three-part international teacher training course focuses on practical and effective ways of teaching Bach’s Violin Concerto in A minor. Rather than focusing on musicological or historical theory, the course emphasizes a clear, structured and practice-based approach to teaching.

Session 1

First Movement – Part 1
with Q&A · 90 minutes

Session 2

First Movement – Part 2 and Second Movement
90 minutes

Session 3

Third Movement
with Q&A · 90 minutes
Info & Registration