Masterclass

FUTURE CellEAST & MiniCellos MASTERCLASSES

June 1-5, 2026 | Bucharest, Romania

I. ABOUT the MASTERCLASS

Future CellEAST is an educational project, part of the CellEAST Festival since 2023, dedicated to advanced young cellists from all over the world. MiniCellos, founded by cellist Ella Bokor in 2018, nurtures both beginner and advanced young cellists, offering them a unique environment to develop their technique, musicality, and passion for cello.

Over the years, both projects have brought together exceptionally talented young cellists, providing them with unique opportunities to develop their technical and artistic skills through individual lessons, masterclasses, and ensemble sessions with outstanding cello professors. Participants benefit from performing in inspiring venues, collaborating with renowned international and Romanian faculty, and taking part in workshops that cover a wide range of repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary music.

These projects aim not only to foster musical excellence, but also to create a supportive community where young musicians can gain confidence, share experiences, and establish lifelong connections within the international cello scene. Future CellEAST and MiniCellos continue to inspire the next generation of cellists and contribute to the cultural life of Romania and beyond.

II. PROFESSORS in 2026

Bruno Cocset (France), Manuel Fischer-Dieskau (Germany), Sevak Avanesyan (Armenia), Mindaugas Bačkus (Lithuania), Krysztoff Karpeta (Poland), Dragan Djordjevic (Serbia), Atanas Krastev (Bulgaria), Attila Pasztor (Austria), Julia Karpeta (Poland) and the Romanian cello professors: Marin Cazacu, Răzvan Suma, Ella Bokor, Ștefan Cazacu, Mircea Marian and Octavian Lup.

III. CALENDAR

THE DEADLINE OF THE APPLICATION IS MARCH 16, 2026

  • APPLICATION PERIOD: February 4 – March 16, 2026 (online, on www.celleast.com).
  • PRELIMINARY SELECTION RESULTS: March 30, 2026 (online, on www.celleast.com).
  • MASTERCLASS: June 1-5, 2026, in Bucharest.
  • FINAL CONCERT AND DIPLOMA CEREMONY: June 5, 2026, in Bucharest.

IV. CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRELIMINARY SELECTION AND RECORDING

  1. Participants must register and fill out the application form in its entirety.
  2. All participants must strictly follow the requirements of the regulations, accurately fill in the registration information, and ensure its authenticity. Participants are fully responsible for the correctness of their age, repertoire, and any other submitted information. Any false or misleading information will be considered a violation, and the Organizers reserve the right to disqualify the participant, with all consequences borne by the participant.
  3. The two age categories are:

    MiniCellos: ages 6–15 and

    Future CellEAST: ages 15–30

  4. Participants will be selected based on the online application form and a video recording made in 2025 or 2026 (minimum 4 minutes), submitted as an unlisted YouTube link by March 16, 2026, at 00:00.
  5. The Organizers reserve the right to reject any application that does not meet the Masterclass regulations. Additional information may be requested, if necessary.
  6. The Organizers will not cover meal, accommodation, or travel expenses for participants.
  7. The Organizers reserve the unrestricted right to film, record, photograph, and broadcast any part of the cellists’ participation in all sessions, including the Final Concert and Diploma Ceremony.
  8. By registering for the Masterclass, participants agree that all such audio-visual materials may be used, reproduced, distributed, or made publicly available for promotional or commercial purposes related to the Masterclass, during its preparation, throughout its duration, and after its conclusion, without any financial compensation or further consent from the participants.
  9. After the results of the selection are communicated, only the admitted cellists will receive by e-mail information about the Masterclass schedule and about the payment of the registration fee.
  10. The Organizers reserve the right to assign the admitted participants to various professors according to availability during the masterclass period.
  11. Each admitted cellist will benefit from 2 lessons with different professors, will have the opportunity to passively participate in all the lessons and seminars of the Masterclass and will have free entrance to many events during CellEAST Festival 2026. The 3rd lessons consist in cello ensemble rehearsal for the final concert.
  12. By submitting the application form, the participant agree to all terms and conditions of the Future CellEAST & MiniCellos Masterclasses.

V. PARTICIPATION FEE

  1. FOR ADMITTED CELLISTS ONLY, the participation fee for the Masterclasses is 150 Euros (applicable to both age categories, FutureCellEAST and MiniCellos) or the equivalent in RON at the BNR exchange rate.
  2. The participation fee is non-refundable if the candidate withdraw from the Masterclass.
  3. The participation fee can be paid in RON or in the equivalent amount in EURO, calculated at the BNR exchange rate on the day of payment https://www.cursbnr.ro/convertor-valutar.
  4. Transfer for EURO – Beneficiary: UCIMR: RO17 BTRL EURC RT04 7708 8101, Banca Transilvania Sucursala Bucur Obor, SWIFT: BTRLRO22, CIC 4770881. Address: Șoseaua Mihai Bravu no. 10, sector 2, București. Details – Registration fee CellEAST Masterclass.
  5. Transfer for RON/LEI – Beneficiary: Asociația U.C.I.M.R. – Uniunea de Creație Interpretativă a Muzicienilor din România: RO40 BTRL RONC RT04 7708 8102 – Banca Transilvania, Sucursala Obor. Detalii de plată – Registration fee CellEAST Masterclass.

VI. EXPENSES AND INCIDENTS

  1. All participants under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult who will carry full responsibility over the minor at any time.
  2. During the Masterclass, the Organizers cannot be held responsible for the consequences of incidents or accidents involving the participants.
  3. It is advised to check the personal insurance of participants and the accompanying adult(s) in order to guarantee coverage of accidents and incidents.

VII. MASTECLASSES VENUES in BUCHAREST

  1. National University of Music Bucharest (UNMB) – 33 Știrbei Vodă Street, Sector 1.
  2. “Romanian Youth” National Art Center (Centrul Național de Artă „Tinerimea Română” / CNATR) – 19 Johann Gutenberg Street, Sector 5.

VIII. CONTACT

E-MAIL: contact@celleast.com

Masterclass Admitted Participants

  • Carla Stefania ACHIM
  • Smaranda ANGHEL
  • Kirina ARNAUTU
  • Antim ARNAUTU
  • Ioana BOACA
  • Alexandru BUCIUMAS
  • Maria CIOBANAS
  • Casian CEZAR
  • Stefan Ioan DUȚĂ
  • Andrei DUȚULESCU
  • András ELEKES-KÖLLŐ
  • Konstancja FAL
  • Raluca GHEBOIANU
  • Liubomyr HLIIEVYI
  • Tudor IONESCU
  • Juhász BALÁZS
  • Aya KOEVA
  • Gergő KOSTYAK-SZOVERDI
  • Rebeka KUZMICOVA
  • Regina KUZMICOVA
  • Tiana-Bogdana LEFTER
  • Aleksandra LIBENZON
  • Gabriela LISNIK
  • Olivia MARIN
  • George Ioan MIKLOSIK
  • Denis MOCUTA
  • Giang NGUYEN
  • Diana NICULAE
  • Sara Dorothea NICULESCU
  • Iris Anastasia OTA
  • Daniel Anton PALU
  • Ioan PADURARIU
  • Cristian POP
  • Catalin Mihai POP
  • Natalie Anastasia POSTOLACHE
  • Toma Sorin POSTOLACHE
  • Ioana REBEGEL
  • Cristian SANDU
  • David SZENKOVICS
  • Rafael SUCIU
  • Tiago SUMA
  • Mathias-Cristian TIRCA
  • Nikola TODOROV
  • Ruxandra TOTA
  • Ioana TURCU
  • Zofia WLAZŁO
CellEAST International Cello Masterclass 2026