About PSN

Debuting in 2015 and hailed for its high-quality productions and sophistication, Classical Movements’ Prague Summer Nights: Young Artists Music Festival (PSN) offers aspiring young professional vocalists and instrumentalists the opportunity to perform in some of Czech Republic’s most historic and majestic venues.  PSN celebrated a successful 10th Anniversary season last summer with record applicants to the festival.

2026 PSN offered

  • two staged opera performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni
  • two staged opera performances of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte
  • two staged opera performances of Puccini’s Suor Angelica
  • three orchestral performances
  • a Chamber music program & performance
  • a Czech & other opera scenes program & performance
  • a Cabaret Night
  • individual and/or group masterclasses & coaching
  • pre-festival and/or in-festival diction classes/coaching (Italian, German & Czech)
  • and other career development opportunities

In 2026, PSN returned to historic, South-Bohemian town Tábor, as well as majestic, centuries-old capital Prague, located in the heart of one of Europe’s most beautiful countries: the Czech Republic.  PSN staged rehearsals, classes and concerts in the local theaters of these cities throughout the festival providing multiple prestigious performance opportunities to young vocalists and instrumentalists.

Most singers joined the opera scenes program and performed in an opera scenes concert featuring famous Czech opera scenes.  This program is prepared in collaboration with Timothy Cheek, one of the world’s leading experts on Czech opera & diction for singing. The program includes Czech diction classes with Cheek while the performance featured scenes from contemporary Czech opera as well as scenes from standard German, French and Italian opera repertoire.

Czech composers represented included notable names such as Dvořák, Nedbal, Smetana, Janáček and more.  Singers worked directly with PSN coaches and stage directors on every aspect of bringing the scenes to the stage.

Singers also performed Broadway hits and music from The Great American Songbook in a Cabaret evening on the stage of a jazz club in Prague.  A fun evening with a different performance style and setting, this concert featured music from composers such as Bernstein, Gershwin, Sondheim, Berlin, Weill, Porter and others.  The Cabaret evening is a private PSN event for all PSN participants to enjoy.

Instrumentalists in the Prague Summer Nights Orchestra rehearsed and performed a rigorous program for three full orchestral concerts which they performed in beautiful and notable concert halls & venues in the Czech Republic. During the festival, PSN had visiting clinicians offering their expert skills, coaching members of the orchestra, and instrumentalists had the opportunity to rehearse and perform side-by-side with professional Czech instrumentalists for a week in Prague.

During the festival instrumentalists also had the opportunity to participate in a chamber music program, which featured ensembles formed from members of the Prague Summer Nights Orchestra who worked closely with PSN faculty to rehearse and prepare for the performance in Prague.  One of the ensembles was the performing ensemble for Puccini’s Suor Angelica in Prague.

Singers joined this chamber music ensemble to perform two fully staged performances of Puccini’s Suor Angelica. They worked closely with PSN coaches, conductors and stage directors on character development, acting & staging while preparing for the performances.

Prague Summer Nights offers opportunities beyond performances to singers and instrumentalists – young professionals hoping to build a career in conducting, coaching, stage directing and arts administration are all welcome to apply.  Assistant conductors and assistant coaches assist in all rehearsals and classes, working alongside esteemed PSN faculty and facilitating all opera performance preparations.  Assistant stage directors work closely with their assigned PSN Faculty Director and are given the opportunity to assist with the preparations of all opera performances, gaining working experience in unique and spectacular venues.  Arts administrators assist with the many managerial and administrative duties that such a festival requires, gaining valuable experience and insight into the real-life workings of the world of opera and orchestra performances hosted in international venues.

Lastly, PSN 2026 ended with the entire PSN Company giving two performances of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and two performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in the historic and magnificent Estates Theatre in Prague.  The Estates Theatre has been the traditional home of PSN, and we were excited to return there in 2026, where the entire company took the final curtain call of the festival.  The Estates Theatre is the last remaining theatre still standing where Mozart himself performed, and it is also the very theatre where Mozart himself premiered Don Giovanni in 1787.

Join PSN 2027 for a most memorable summer performing on the historic stages of the Czech Republic.

Prague Summer Nights is presented by Classical Movements.

  • Prague Summer Nights is the highest quality complete opera learning experience I have had in any summer program. I had a great time working with the faculty and a lot of fun traveling with everyone!

    Anthony Larson, Opera

  • Prague Summer Nights has forever reshaped me as an operatic performer. The quality of training and supportive environment fostered by the faculty and performers are things I will carry with me far into my career, no matter the repertoire I perform.

    Noelle Duke, Opera

  • I cannot say this enough, this has been one of the most rewarding and fun opera experiences I’ve had! Not only because we were lucky enough to perform in the Estates Theater, but more so because of the camaraderie and friendships I have made, that will last a lifetime.

    Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Opera

  • It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of PSN 2025. Each day I learned something new from a colleague or faculty member. I was in awe of not only the locations we worked in, but of the dedication of the musicians surrounding me. I loved being able to share my joy and love of music with so many incredible musicians and people both on and off stage. I hope to return in the future, and PSN has earned a spot on the top 10 coolest experiences I've had to date!

    Kate Kaczmarek, Violinist

  • PSN 2026 was one of the best summers I've ever had! I learned from wonderful mentors, got so much hands-on creative experience, and made friends that I hope to stay in touch with for a long time.

    Olympia Hatzilambrou, Assistant Stage Director

  • I had such an incredible experience being a part of PSN2025! From the incredible coaching to amazing performance opportunities, I would highly recommend this program to any young singer who might be looking to further their artistry. Not only will you get to work with other talented singers, but also get to work with a faculty that are just amazing human beings, which I must say has been hard for me to find at other programs/festivals.

    Jacob Lann, Opera

  • Our brass sectional was great yesterday. Ladislav Kozderka, first chair trumpet of the Czech Philharmonic, was super nice and lowkey (not intimidating). Every time he had a critique for a specific person, he would compliment them on something else. He had great advice and was super helpful.

    Kiri Maza, French Horn

  • It truly is a joy to be here in Prague and spending so much time with this group of people. Everyone works so hard, and when all the different parts come together, the music we create is absolutely magical. There is much pleasure in growing and bonding with a very talented group of musicians.

    Andy Kim, Violinist

  • Today I attended the Brass sectionals of Sibelius Symphony No. 2 and Dvorak Symphony No. 9, led by clinician Ladislav Kozderka who holds the position of principal trumpet of the Czech Philharmonic. I offered to be his personal metronome and he humbly laughed, saying "no, no, you must know this piece so much more than me!" He let me conduct the entirety of both symphonies, stopping every section to give feedback. I kept wanting to pinch my cheek because I knew all the words of wisdom was coming from one of the leaders of the orchestra that loves and owns Dvorak more than anywhere else in the world.

    Euan Shields, Assistant Conductor

  • Participating in this incredible program was life changing! I strongly encourage people interested to apply, you won’t regret it. Easily one of the best summers of my life.

    Hayden Clarke, Arts Admin

  • Plzen audition is a great segue for every singers to bridge the gap between the student and professional. The audition itself had a very friendly environment while still keeping the professionalism. I felt very honored to have met the director of Plzen Opera House and personally work with the head coach of the Czech National Opera House. Hopefully in the next two years, I will be able to come back to Plzen to work with this beautiful company.

    Eddie Lim, Opera

  • I have had the most wonderful 4 weeks I could hope for!

    Nico Laruina, Opera

  • I really enjoyed working with Dr. Jelena Nosková in the masterclass. She had wonderful suggestions and I felt my voice blossoming in the short time we worked together. I felt that it was very valuable to get some suggestions from someone I’d never worked with before. I thoroughly appreciate having this opportunity!

    Beth Compton, Opera

  • It was a pleasure for me being part of the festival, I learned a lot in Prague! Thank you for believing in my talent.

    Brenda I., Opera

  • Thank you so much for the opportunity! I learned so much in that month, that I’m just hoping to retain a tiny bit of it! My teacher even noticed that my high notes have improved in tone. The program was absolutely amazing, and the people you brought together for it were even more so.

    Laura M., Opera

  • Thank you again for the incredible opportunity! I had an amazing trip and made so many memories.

    Heather G., Violinist

  • Thank you for giving me the opportunity. It was an amazing experience with countless memories. Thank you again.

    Preet S., Cellist

  • Thank you Prague Summer Nights so much for the incredible opportunity to work with you in Prague, and the amazing opportunities I’ve received!

    Isabelle M., Cellist

  • A better experience could not have taken place for me during the first annual Prague Summer Nights Festival. I will forever take with me the memories and knowledge gained during my time with many wonderful musicians.

    Maya M., Violinist

  • Prague Summer Nights was an incredible experience for me. I made friendships that will last a lifetime and learned so much about myself as a performer. Sometimes when you are engrossed in the whirlwind of hard, dedicated work it is difficult to see your own progress. Just months after the program I already feel a difference and ease of approach to my performing, as well as a greater awareness of not only what I can improve, but HOW I can improve. Having sung an opera where Mozart first conducted it is no small honor either! Thank you for the experience of a lifetime.

    Stephanie K., Opera

  • Such an incredible experience getting a lesson and performing in a masterclass today with Walter Seyfarth, 30-year clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic, my favorite orchestra. My time in Prague has been a clarinetist’s dream! Very grateful.

    Eric S., Clarinettist

  • “Thanks for a great summer! The Prague experience was unforgettable. Thanks again.”

    Will R., viola

  • “I just wanted to take the opportunity again to thank you for this wonderful program you have created. I am still in awe of what took place over this last month, from Smetana Hall, to the Dvorak Museum, and finally Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre! I honestly don’t know how you did it!"

    John H., baritone