By: Lucy Jones
Malibu, CA – July 26, 2025. From July 20 to 26, the scenic campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu transformed into a vibrant international stage for classical music education, as it hosted the 2025 ICMA (International Classical Music Alliance) Music Festival. With the theme “Where Talent Meets Thought,” this week-long residency offered a rare blend of high-level piano training, academic enrichment, and artistic inspiration—bringing together talented young pianists from reputable conservatories across the United States and a world-class faculty of educators.
Throughout the week, students engaged in daily private lessons, rigorous masterclasses, lectures, cultural exchange, and collaborative performances. More than just a summer program, the ICMA Festival fostered a holistic experience designed to cultivate not only technical proficiency but also artistic curiosity, self-reflection, and cross-disciplinary thinking.
A World-Class Faculty and a Visionary Program
The 2025 faculty included internationally renowned pedagogues:
- Arthur Greene (University of Michigan)
- Marian Hahn (Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins)
- Yi-Yang Chen (University of Kansas)
- Hui Wu and Régulo Martínez-Antón (Colburn School of Music)
These educators provided students with rare access to both individualized coaching and deep intellectual engagement. Their teaching extended beyond technique to include stylistic interpretation, performance psychology, and practical strategies for professional development.
Participants also benefited from special guest lectures. Dr. Yuanyuan Liu presented a lecture-recital exploring Busoni’s transcription techniques. At the same time, Dr. Xixi Shen, Bella Yan, and Dr. Yaqi Wang led discussions on contemporary trends in music education, studio culture, and the evolving role of the classical musician in the 21st century.
Artistry in Action
The serene surroundings of Malibu and Pepperdine’s cutting-edge facilities offered an ideal learning environment. Days were filled with structured training; evenings brought informal jam sessions, faculty-student meals, and a celebratory beachside gathering that brought together a diverse community of musicians from different cultures and backgrounds.
These shared experiences cultivated friendship, dialogue, and a sense of collective purpose. “This is more than a music festival—it’s a place where the next generation of artist-educators begins to define itself,” said one participant.
Culminating in Concert: A Celebration in Pasadena
The concert also served as a celebration of the week’s achievements. Each performer, whether undergraduate student or recent doctoral graduate, contributed a unique voice to the musical narrative, embodying the spirit of growth that defined the entire festival.
Reflections from Leadership
Reflecting on the festival’s success, ICMA Chairman Dr. Mingfu Han shared:
“Our mission is to create a truly global and inclusive platform for young artists. We aim to go beyond performance to empower students with the mindset, tools, and vision to lead. Next year, we plan to introduce interdisciplinary projects to expand our reach further.”
Dr. Yaqi Wang, ICMA Vice Chair and Festival Director, echoed this sentiment:
“We want every student to leave not only with stronger hands, but with a stronger voice—one that understands music’s cultural meaning and social value. At ICMA, excellence and empathy go hand in hand.”
Looking Forward
As the sun set on the Malibu coast, students parted ways—many of them for the first time—but with renewed purpose and lasting bonds. The 2025 ICMA Music Festival demonstrated that when great minds and great hearts come together, the result is not just better musicians, but better human beings.
From performance to pedagogy, from inspiration to execution, ICMA continues to stand as a global home for music education that dares to innovate while honoring tradition.
