Nancy Chumachenco taught cello for many years. She realised the great challenges and rewards of teaching and working with highly-gifted young musicians, and this became her passion. Her former student Christian Poltéra, who began his studies with her in Zurich, is today one of the most prominent cellists on the international scene. Her young trio with Linus Roth, Violin, Christian Poltéra, Cello and Philippe Jordan, Piano won the top prize for chamber music at the Swiss National Competition in 1992. Other students and ensembles which she taught and coached were equally successful at home and abroad. These activities culminated in the founding of Astona International in 1988.
Nancy Chumachenco writes about the history of Astona International:
In 1988, Astona was the first summer academy of its kind in Switzerland. My project and my work began in 1987. At that time, I discussed my plans with, among others, the organiser of the Menuhin Competition in Dover, when I was there with my then husband, who was a member of the jury.
I also presented my ideas to banker Dr Hans Vontobel in Zurich. He was impressed and immediately promised his support. A few years later, he founded the Lyra Foundation for the promotion of young students and generously supported Astona until his death in 2016.
When I founded Astona, the Swiss school system was not yet interested in musical talent and preferred to simply ignore it and classify it as a hobby. Young talents had no place where they could enjoy themselves and benefit from each other during the summer, when they were freed from the time-consuming demands of school. This situation, along with two phenomenal young cello students I was teaching at the time and some outstanding young violin students in my neighbourhood, motivated me to put my conviction into action. Astona was born.
To date, Astona has taken place in the following locations: Flumserberg, Vättis, Kaltbrunn, Arosa, Ftan, Zuoz, Leysin, Zugerberg, Menzingen, twice online and Baar. These frequent changes were almost always due to the fact that the institutions concerned, mostly boarding schools, wanted to use their rooms for their own summer programmes. I am happy that we have found a place at Sonnenberg in Baar, where Astona is enthusiastically supported.
Astona is all about NOURISHING TALENT – and it always has been. It's about musicality and honesty, commitment, enthusiasm, high expectations and the incredible fun of spending two weeks together. We make this possible with individual lessons, chamber music, orchestra and performances. That's all we need.
Nancy Chumachenco
August 2025