Advanced Programme
Cello
All coursesFrans Helmerson Bio
8 June 2026
16 March 2026
Guided by Frans Helmerson, the Cello Advanced Programme is a concert-oriented training path that combines individual lessons with a range of complementary activities, including masterclasses with renowned artists, chamber music sessions and participation in artistic projects.
Public performances play a central role in the training of every Stauffer student. They include the monthly Session Recitals and a variety of Artistic Projects, which offer students concrete professional experience. Furthermore, the most deserving students are regularly recommended to concert institutions for inclusion in their seasons.
The Cello Advanced Programme offers three modules, each varying in duration and attendance requirements:
- Stauffer Performance Diploma (3 years, 10 monthly sessions);
- Annual Advanced Course (1 year, 8 monthly sessions);
- Ad Hoc Course (a flexible option, attendance of two sessions throughout the year).
The course pianist is Monica Cattarossi.
Thanks to the support of the Stauffer Foundation, all the courses of the Academy are tuition-free. In view of this, students are expected to commit fully to the Academy’s educational programmes, comply with the attendance requirements and show a proactive and engaged attitude towards the activities that are planned to foster their artistic growth.
This course is reserved for a selected group of highly promising students. It is structured in ten monthly sessions, scheduled between October and July. Each session includes three days of lessons; additional days may be allocated for exams or complementary activities.
The duration of the course is three years and includes the following exams:
- First and second year: Intermediate exam (February) + End-of-year exam for promotion to the subsequent year (July);
- Third year: Intermediate exam (February) + Diploma exam with artistic project (July). The diploma exam consists of a public concert, with the presence of a Panel.
The course duration can be reduced to two years, in agreement with the Professor and the Academic Director.
Students enrolled in the Performance Diploma Course have priority and direct access to all the complementary activities (masterclasses and artistic projects), without further selection.
Students who are not admitted to the Stauffer Performance Diploma may be considered for the Annual and the Ad Hoc Courses, subject to the available places and the position in the ranking list.
This course is structured in eight monthly sessions, normally scheduled between October and July, with three days of lessons per session. Additional days may be allocated for complementary activities.
Students enrolled in the Annual Course have access to the complementary activities. Attendance of some masterclasses may require a further selection through a video audition.
It is possible to attend multiple consecutive years of the Annual Course, subject to passing the entrance exam.
This flexible, less intensive option is designed for musicians who are already engaged in a professional career or for those with limited availability who wish to attend targeted sessions for specific needs. It may also be suitable for younger musicians seeking preparatory training for future admission to the main courses.
The Ad Hoc Course guarantees attendance of two sessions throughout the academic year.
Enrolment is subject to a selection through a video audition. It is also possible to apply during the academic year, subject to the Professor’s availability.
Lesson schedule:
- 16, 17, 18 September 2026
- 19, 20, 21 October 2026
- 25, 26, 27 November 2026
- 7, 8, 9 December 2026
- 18, 19, 20 January 2027
- 15, 16, 17, 18 february 2027
- 8, 9, 10, 11 March 2027
- 19, 20, 21 April 2027
- 10, 11, 12 May 2027
- 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 June 2027
Masterclasses:
Nicolas Altstaedt: 7-10 November 2026
Raphaël Pidoux: 19-21 April 2027
Artistic Project:
Giovanni Sollima: 5-9 July 2027
Lesson and exams schedule:
24-26 September 2025;
13-15 October 2025;
24-26 November 2025;
17-19 December 2025;
12-14 January 2026;
9-11 February 2026;
10 February 2026: Intermediate Performance Diploma Exams
16-18 March 2026;
8-10 April 2026;
18-20 May 2026;
15-17 June 2026.
18 June 2026: Performance Diploma Exams
Masterclasses:
David Geringas: 25-27 November 2025;
Gary Hoffman: 9-11 April 2026.
Artistic Projects / Workshops:
Mario Brunello | Weinberg Sonatas: 4-6 March 2026
Viktoria Mullova & Matthew Barley | Tradition and Improvisation: 13-18 April 2026.
Stauffer String Ensemble:
9-13 December 2025 (conductor: Roman Simovic)
20-24 April 2026 (conductor: Kolja Blacher)
3-7 July 2026 (conductor: Jean Christophe Spinosi)
The courses are open to students of all nationalities, not older than 28 at the application deadline.
Applications must be submitted online by no later than 11:59 PM on March 16, 2026, by completing the form (through the “Apply” button) and attaching the following documents:
- A valid ID;
- A copy of the diploma or certificate of studies;
- A curriculum vitae, preferably with a list of the studied repertoire;
- The programme for the entrance exam;
- The link to the video recording, for the “Ad Hoc” formula and the preliminary phase (see “Entrance Exams” section).
A non-refundable annual registration fee of EUR 55.00 is required when submitting the application.
Tuition fees are fully covered by the Stauffer Foundation; travel, accommodation and living expenses in Cremona are to be borne by the students.
The entrance exams for the Performance Diploma and the Annual Advanced Course consist of two phases.
For the preliminary phase, candidates must submit a video recording no later than 11:59 PM on March 16, 2026, featuring the following repertoire:
- One Caprice by Alfredo Piatti (of the candidate’s choice);
- The first movement of Schumann’s Cello Concerto or Elgar’s Cello Concerto (of the candidate’s choice).
The requirements for video recordings are described on this page.
The results of the pre-selection will be announced by mid-April 2026. Candidates who pass the pre-selection phase will be invited to the final exams, which will be held live on June 8, 2026, at the Stauffer Academy, Via S. Martino 6, Cremona.
Programme of the final exam in presence:
- S. Bach: One Suite for solo cello (BWV 1007-1012, of the candidate’s choice). Memorization is recommended;
- The first movement of a concerto for cello and orchestra from the standard repertoire;
- A sonata or a similar work for cello and piano (the candidate must choose a concerto and a sonata from different periods);
- One Caprice by Alfredo Piatti or an Étude by David Popper.
The Professor may request the performance of all or part of the programme.
To apply for the Ad Hoc Course, please send the link to a video recording with the following programme:
- One Caprice by Alfredo Piatti (of the candidate’s choice);
- The first movement of Schumann’s Cello Concerto or Elgar’s Cello Concerto (of the candidate’s choice).
Applications submitted during the year may be accepted, subject to the Professors’ availability. For further information, please write to [email protected].
The results of the entrance exams will be communicated following the completion of the entrance exams.
Piano accompanist
The Academy’s accompanist will be available for the entrance exams. Is it not possible to rehearse with the accompanist before the exams.
If you wish to perform with your own accompanist, please inform the Academic Office in advance, sending his/her name and ID to [email protected].
