Astona is a two-weeks international Summer Music Academy, accompanying many students on their path to a musical career and providing them 15 days with a free and protected space in which to work and grow and enjoy.

Founder (1988) and Musical Director

Nancy Chumachenco 

Opening Concert, Thursday, July 25

Astona International - a video portrait (2019)

 I started playing the cello after I heard a boy play and fell in love with the sound. My teacher was Nancy Chumachenco. Right from the start, she demanded a lot, but she didn't just support talented students for 30 or 60 minutes a week, but much more. There was chamber music and every year she organised a summer course with students from other countries. Meeting young people from South Africa, Finland or the USA was totally exciting for a twelve-year-old. We formed a network of friends that we could fall back on when we got older. Not many people were lucky enough to be guided by someone like Nancy Chumachenco from the moment they picked up an instrument.

Christian Poltéra, born 1977, participant 1988 – 1993,  Renowned international soloist and chamber musician, professor at the Lucerne University of Music

At the age of 15-17, I was lucky enough to play the piano three times with Astona.  I can say that these were the most important years of my musical development.

Philipp Jordan,  born 1974, participant
1980 - 1982, Musical director of the Vienna State Opera