About

About 

Nicole Wilson

Our music team is chosen by our Artistic Director Nicole Wilson.

Nicole Wilson is a violin teacher at London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Music, former first violinist of the London Symphony Orchestra, former Principal of English National Opera, Concertmaster of the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and Chair of ESTA UK.

Nicole’s experience of running many music courses since 2018 has enabled her to hand-pick the best and most inspiring musicians from across the UK to work with her to give the students an unparalleled musical experience. 

Unique access 

Rarely can students of this age work so closely with tutors of this calibre, with the opportunity to discover so much varied music.

Students will explore solo, chamber and string orchestra repertoire, with informal performance opportunities throughout the week. A concert for friends and family at Winchester College’s New Hall will close the course.

This exclusive, intensive course will bring together like-minded and talented students from grade 5 up to Diploma level and beyond.

Faculty 

We’re proud to bring together the UK’s finest pedagogues, with Heads of Strings and teachers from leading independent schools and conservatoires.

With applicants from all around the world, we select the most talented string students to work with our faculty. More information on our faculty can be found here.

Winchester College library

Location 

Virtuoso International Music Academy is held at Winchester College.

Its spectacular medieval buildings of Winchester College have been used as locations for many movies including Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables (2012) featuring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

The College consists of 94 listed buildings, set in grounds of 250 acres, of which 100 acres are water meadows, 52 acres are playing fields, and 11 acres are formal gardens. The music school has been extended in a beautiful modern style with Steinway pianos and an organ in the concert hall.

Cost 

Course fee for 2 weeks is £2500.

£2000 for those applying before the Earlybird deadline of December 31st.
Please contact info@vima.org.uk for further information.

Once the limited number of places on the course are filled, then the application process will be closed.

This does not include travel to/from Winchester.

The fee is payable within two weeks of acceptance onto the course. If payment is not received by this time, the place will be forfeited.

If you require a delay in the fee payment, please write to info@vima.org.uk explaining the reasons and requested timescale for payment and we will advise whether we can hold the place for you.

Dates 

Course dates are 3rd – 9th August 2025.

Arrival for students is 10am on the morning of Sunday 3rd August.
Course ends after the final concert on Saturday 9th.
If students require accommodation before or after the course, please contact info@vima.org.uk to discuss options.
Although we cannot accommodate any adults on this course there is a wonderful array of hotels in and around Winchester.

hotels winchester – Google Search should you wish to enjoy this historic town while your child/student is resident on the course.

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