International Wind Ensemble Academy and Festival

14/05/2026

Due to a few last-minute changes, we currently have 2 remaining spots in the horn section and 1 remaining spot in the flute section.

If you’re a serious player looking for:
• Intensive orchestral / wind ensemble experience
• Work with an international faculty
• Perform across Bangkok • Zhuhai • Shenzhen • Foshan • Hong Kong
• Be part of a truly global musical environment

This is a rare late opportunity to join.

Dates: July 16 – August 1, 2026
Location: Thailand + China Tour
Scholarships: Available based on merit

Apply now or reach out directly if you’re interested.

🌐

The IWAF is an intensive summer wind ensemble program for young and adult music students aged 16-29, offering a unique opportunity to engage in enriching musical experiences. The IWAF 2026 schedule will include a 10-day residency in Bangkok, and a tour to Kunming, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.

05/05/2026

🎶 IT’S THE MOMENT

Today, your impact goes further than ever.

At IWAF 2026, we are bringing together young musicians from around the world — not just to perform, but to grow, connect, and shape the future of music.

From Bangkok to Zhuhai, Shenzhen, Foshan, and Hong Kong, this is more than a festival — operated by the International Music and Education Academy and Festival Association in California, it’s a global platform for the next generation.

✨ Support young artists
✨ Support international collaboration
✨ Support the future

Every gift today goes 2X toward supporting our students.

Give today. Be part of something bigger.
👉 https://internationalwindacademy.com/support/

WindEnsemble GiveBack

04/05/2026

1 week to go!

The submission deadline for the IWAF International Wind Symphony Composition Competition is approaching.

This is your opportunity to have your work performed within an international platform, alongside musicians and artists from around the world.

Deadline: [May 10th, 2026]

Don’t miss it.

🌐

Composition Competition - International Wind Ensemble Academy and Festival

22/04/2026

IWAF 2026 admission results are now being released.

We have officially started sending out decisions to applicants worldwide, the official letter will be delivered to you via email in the upcoming 2-3 days. If you applied this year, please check your email carefully (including your spam folder).

This has been one of the most competitive years yet, and we are truly grateful for the incredible level of musicianship and interest from across the globe.

For those who receive an offer — congratulations, and we look forward to making music with you this summer.
For those still waiting, more results are on the way.

📍 IWAF 2026 — July 16 – August 1 — Bangkok • Zhuhai • Shenzhen • Foshan • Hong Kong
We have officially started sending out decisions to applicants worldwide. The official letter will be delivered to you via email in the next 2-3 days. If you applied this year, please check your email carefully (including your spam folder).

21/04/2026

We’re excited to welcome Jonathan Fox to the IWAF 2026 faculty.

Jonathan serves as Principal Percussion of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and is widely recognized for his precision, versatility, and commanding musicianship. With extensive orchestral experience at the highest level, he brings both artistic excellence and practical insight into the professional world of percussion playing.

At IWAF, students will work closely with Jonathan through rehearsals, sectionals, and masterclasses—gaining first-hand understanding of orchestral standards, technique, and musical leadership.

Looking forward to an inspiring summer together.

📍 IWAF 2026 — July 16 – August 1 — Bangkok • Zhuhai • Shenzhen • Foshan • Hong Kong
🌐 www.internationalwindacademy.com

19/04/2026

We’re honored to welcome Robert Clarke to the IWAF 2026 faculty.

Former Principal Percussionist of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Robert brings decades of orchestral excellence, artistry, and pedagogical insight to the festival. His career spans major repertoire, international stages, and a deep commitment to developing the next generation of percussionists.

At IWAF, students will have the rare opportunity to work closely with a musician who has performed at the highest professional level while maintaining a strong passion for education and mentorship.

Join us this summer and learn from one of the field’s most respected percussion artists.

📍 IWAF 2026 — July 16 – August 1 — Bangkok • Zhuhai • Shenzhen • Foshan • Hong Kong
🌐 www.internationalwindacademy.com

15/04/2026

We are delighted to welcome Ema Mitarai to the faculty of the International Wind Ensemble Academy & Festival (IWAF) 2026!

Ema Mitarai serves as Principal Harpist of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and is on the faculty of both the Royal Bangkok Symphony Music School (RBSS) and Chulalongkorn University. As one of the leading harpists in Thailand’s classical music scene, she brings a refined artistic voice and a deep commitment to education.

Her presence at IWAF marks an important step in expanding our artistic spectrum and strengthening our connection with the Southeast Asian musical community. We are especially excited to further develop the harp component within the festival and to create new opportunities for young harpists in the region.

🎶 Harp applications are now open — deadline: May 1st.

📍 IWAF 2026 — July 16 – August 1 — Bangkok • Zhuhai • Shenzhen • Foshan • Hong Kong
🌐 www.internationalwindacademy.com

08/04/2026

We are proud to welcome Marques Young to the IWAF 2026 faculty.

A graduate of The Juilliard School,Marques represents a rare synthesis of elite orchestral training and a deeply rooted, genre-crossing artistic voice. From winning major international trombone competitions at a young age to performing with leading ensembles including the New York Philharmonic and Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra under Pierre Boulez, his trajectory reflects both excellence and versatility.

Marques has built an extensive global career spanning classical, jazz, and contemporary performance, collaborating with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’Rivera, and Andrea Bocelli. His time as Co-Principal Trombone of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and his leadership in shaping Southeast Asia’s jazz scene further highlight his multidimensional impact as both performer and innovator.

Currently on faculty at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Marques continues to mentor the next generation while maintaining an active international presence as a soloist, producer, and creative artist.

At IWAF, he brings not only world-class artistry, but a perspective that bridges traditions, disciplines, and cultures—exactly the kind of voice that defines the spirit of this festival.

📍 IWAF 2026 — July 16 – August 1 — Bangkok • Zhuhai • Shenzhen • Foshan • Hong Kong
🌐 www.internationalwindacademy.com

03/04/2026

Final Call — IWAF 2026 Applications

With just days remaining, the application deadline for the International Wind Ensemble Academy & Festival (IWAF) 2026 has been extended to:

April 15, 2026

We are currently filling the final spots across several instruments, and limited scholarship opportunities are still available.

If you’ve been considering applying, this is your moment.

Join an international community of outstanding young musicians and study with world-class faculty in a unique, multi-city festival experience.

📍 IWAF 2026 — July 16 – August 1
Bangkok • Zhuhai • Shenzhen • Foshan • Hong Kong

👉 Apply now: www.internationalwindacademy.com

02/04/2026

We are proud to welcome Dr. Zhuo Zhao to the team of the International Wind Ensemble Academy & Festival (IWAF).

A distinguished music theorist and musicologist, Dr. Zhao specializes in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century repertoire, with a particular focus on Mahler’s symphonic works and semiotic approaches to musical form. She holds a Ph.D. in Music Theory from Rutgers University and currently serves on the faculty there.

Her research explores the relationship between musical structure, meaning, and narrative, and has been presented at major international conferences. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Zhao is an accomplished program note writer, bringing depth and clarity to the listening experience.

At IWAF, Dr. Zhao will serve as Editorial Consultant & Director of Alumni Relations, contributing to both the artistic and intellectual vision of the festival.

Join us this summer and experience a global platform where performance, scholarship, and community come together.

📍 IWAF 2026 — July 16 – August 1
Bangkok • Zhuhai • Shenzhen • Foshan • Hong Kong
🌐 www.internationalwindacademy.com

29/03/2026

🌍 IWAF 2026 Faculty Announcement

We are delighted to welcome Kitti Sawetkittikul as Tuba Faculty for IWAF 2026.

A leading figure in Thailand’s brass community, Kitti is a member of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and a faculty member at Mahidol University. Known for his rich sound, musical depth, and commitment to education, he has inspired generations of young brass players across the region.

At IWAF, students will work closely with Kitti through lessons, masterclasses, and ensemble performances—gaining both technical insight and artistic perspective at the highest level.

📍 IWAF 2026 — July 16 – August 1
Bangkok • Zhuhai • Shenzhen • Foshan • Hong Kong

🌐 www.internationalwindacademy.com