Let your mind provoke you to be an artist
Contact us to join our Thinking Musician Retreat.
Weekend Music Course
Brussels, Belgium
18th-19th April 2026
ABOUT THE
COURSE
This programme draws together musicians who are searching for the next level of artistry and accomplishment. The focus is not primarily on skills as a practitioner but exploring what we can find and release that creates the true artist.
A two-day course comprising workshops, lectures, discussions, performances and intellectual provocations. Unlike traditional masterclasses that focus solely on technique, The Thinking Musician provokes the artist within and liberates creativity.
DETAILS
Schedule:
The course begins at 9:30 AM on Saturday, April 18th and concludes with a final open performance at 18.30 on Sunday, April 19th, 2026.
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Special Event:
Students will have the opportunity to attend and participate in the Deep Thought Series with Andreea Petre-Goncalves at The Full Circle private club in Brussels on Saturday, April 18th.
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Course Fee:
€100
Venue:
Mas Arto, Avenue Huart-Hamoir, 1030
Schaerbeek, Bruxelles
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Language:
Most lessons, workshop and seminars will be in English.
THE TEACHERS
Igor
Tkatchouk
Violin
Founder and President of the Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition and renowned violin professor. He graduated from Kyiv State Conservatory, studying under pupils of David Oistrakh. He enjoyed an active international performing career as soloist and chamber musician, winning Third Prize at the 1993 Paris International Competition. Following a 2004 accident, he devoted himself to teaching and is currently Professor of Violin at IMEP Namur. He founded the Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition and co-founded the Ensemble of Young Soloists of Belgium. His students have become laureates of major competitions including Queen Elisabeth.
Andriy
Viytovych
Viola
Principal Viola of the Orquesta de la Comunidad Valenciana in Valencia the Symphony Orchestra and formerly of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
Andriy has collaborated with renowned conductors including Mstislav Rostropovich, Pierre Boulez, Sir Georg Solti, Sir Colin Davis, and Bernard Haitink. His enthusiasm for chamber music has led to collaborations with Camerata Lysy, the London Symphony Chamber Players, Razumovsky Ensemble, and Covent Garden Soloists. He is a professor of Viola at the Royal College of Music, London.
Mark
Messenger
Violin
Anglo-Armenian violinist, Mark Messenger, has had a broad and varied career resulting in a global reputation as soloist, chamber musician, conductor, teacher, jury member, speaker and consultant.
His love of music and the human connection it offers has meant he has shared the concert platform with many remarkable musicians. For over four decades he performed on some of the most prestigious concert platforms in the world…
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Marie Paule
Thill
Coach
An ENT doctor specializing in ear surgery and former Head of Department at CHU Saint-Pierre in Brussels.
An internationally renowned surgeon, she developed a strong interest in coaching, completing a Masters in business coaching and seminars in neurosciences and co- development. She also explored holistic, energy-based approaches to treating individuals. A musician in her youth, music has guided both her professional and personal life— evident in her chosen specialization healing hearing and voice. She is passionate about sharing her scientific and human knowledge with young musicians, bridging her medical expertise with her lifelong connection to music.
Maria
Tarasewicz
Piano - Duo Coach
Maria Tarasewicz has gained an international reputation as a chamber musician, duo partner and a pedagogue. She is committed to working with and developing younger artists, and invitations not only as a performer but also as a teacher and accompanist have taken her to Norway, Belgium, France, Italy, Jersey, San Marino, Poland, China and many UK festivals and masterclasses. In the recent years Maria has developed a unique coaching programme for…
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe that the revival of the Renaissance artist is a necessity in today's world. Our talented musicians are provoked into an awareness of societal change, climate issues, political crises and the holistic development of the individual.
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The Thinking Musician project has proved that our performers have enhanced abilities to transform the listener by communicating their music in a truly personal way, through sharing music and celebrating humanity.
HOW TO APPLY
Please email us at the following address to reserve your place:
Application deadline 30th March.