Skip to content

Issigeac International Music Academy

The Issigeac International Music Academy runs courses and workshops for amateur musicians which give them the exceptional experience of being taught by world-class professional musicians.  We are uncompromising in our pursuit of quality and have been privileged to partner with musicians with global reputations.

 Each year we invite a leading string quartet to come to Dordogne to tutor students during the month of June.  This is not just teaching technique but giving a real insight to the life as a performer.  String players who want to improve their skills and have a unique opportunity to understand the perspective of the professional player are invited to apply.

As well as tutoring, our musicians’  perform two public concerts that bring to our region performances of a standard to be expected in major venues in the capitals of the world.   For our programme for 2024 we are delighted our partners will be the fabulous Dante Quartet from the UK.

 We expanded our sphere of operations in Spring 2023 to embrace the world of choral music. We continue this in 2024 with Choral Workshops and Masterclasses with the participation of Nelly Miricioiu and Musical Director Dr Richard Jenkinson.

 Full details of our programmes can be found following the next events links above.

Founded by international violinist Ishani Bhoola the IIMA is delighted that our teaching quartet for 2024 is the Dante Quartet who will be providing tuition and masterclasses and will also play two public concerts in Issigeac in addition to one concert by Miss Bhoola.

The 2024 academy will be hosted by the Manoir du Suquet, a beautiful manor in sumptuous grounds which will provide accommodation and practice rooms for the week.

A maze of meandering medieval streets and 15th century timber-framed houses make up the heart of Issigeac, the village in which the academy is based.

Renowned throughout the South West of France, Issigeac is known as ‘ La Perle du Perigord’ because of the almost perfectly round shape formed by its ancient stone ramparts which date from the 1200s.

For centuries the village was a major centre of religious life as the summer residence of the Bishops of Sarlat, for whom a fine palace and church, tax, legal and administrative buildings were constructed in the Renaissance period, many of them now listed as historic monuments.

Today Issigeac is a thriving hub of community life.  Its Sunday market, active since the 1280s, was recently voted the best in Aquitaine and 7th overall in the whole of France.   The village boasts five restaurants serving haute cuisine as well as a plethora of cafes and bars.  Recent Years have seen a spate of artisanal and artistic enterprises open shop including art galleries, a pottery, glass blowing, fashion boutiques, interior design and cardboard sculptor, all making the village a thriving tourism destination.

Back To Top