The Marina Piccinini International Masterclasses (MPIMC)
The Marina Piccinini International Masterclasses (MPIMC) were founded in 2008 as an evolution of Marina Piccinini’s earlier Zurich masterclasses, held from 1996 to 2006 in the baroque Muraltengut Mansion by Lake Zurich.
From 2008 to 2016, MPIMC took place at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, with all classes held in Griswold Hall and participants residing in the historic Mount Vernon district of Baltimore.
Miami & Frank Gehry · 2017
In 2017, MPIMC entered a new phase in partnership with the New World Symphony, relocating to the stunning New World Center in Miami Beach, designed by Frank Gehry.
Going Global · 2020–2021
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, MPIMC was among the first to pivot fully online, creating a global platform that reached flutists and enthusiasts across continents. That same year, a second online session focused on Asia was held in November, followed in 2021 by a special edition streamed from Venice, featuring Paganini’s Caprices.
Vermont & the Moyse Legacy · 2022
In 2022, as in-person gatherings cautiously resumed, MPIMC launched a new chapter on the secluded grounds of Potash Hill in southern Vermont—home to the Marlboro Festival and steeped in the legacy of the Marcel Moyse masterclasses, to which Marina has a deep personal connection.
A New Home in Uri · Since 2024
Since 2024, MPIMC has found a new home in Bürglen, Uri—birthplace of William Tell and the setting for Zauberklang—marking another significant milestone in its nomadic journey.
Opportunities for Young Artists
Throughout its history, MPIMC has remained committed to expanding opportunities for young artists. In 2021, a collaboration with the Farnborough Symphony in the UK gave rise to the MPIMC Concerto Competition. Its inaugural winner, Christian Paquette, performed the Reinecke Concerto, and in 2025, Freddy Branson will perform Paul Carmichael’s Phoenix Concerto.
Alongside the MIA (Most Improved Award), MPIMC also introduced the MPIMC and Galway Awards, a collaborative exchange with the Galway Academy in Switzerland.
Support & Community
MPIMC has been sustained by generous artistic and financial support from fellow musicians, flute makers, and patrons. In 2025, the Eric Maul Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to help outstanding young flutists attend the masterclasses.
Guest Artists & Industry Partners
Distinguished guest artists over the years have included Hilary Hahn, Marin Alsop, Claire Chase, Jeanne Baxtresser, James Walker, Meng Su, Svet Stoyanov, Jennifer Grimm, Laurie Sokoloff, Brook Ferguson, JeeYoung Choe, Eva Amsler, and Kristin Bacchiocchi-Stewart.
Long-standing partners in the flute industry have included Haynes Flutes, Brannen Brothers, Powell, Burkart, Keefe Piccolos, Levitt Flutes, Williams Flutes, Gemeinhardt, the Flute Center of New York, and Flutistry Boston.