About PSN

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.

In 2026 PSN will offer

  • two staged opera performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in Prague
  • two staged opera performances of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte in Prague
  • two staged opera performances of Puccini’s Suor Angelica in Prague
  • three orchestral performances in Czech Republic (cities tba)
  • a chamber music program & concert in Prague
  • a Czech and other opera scenes program & concert in Tábor
  • a cabaret concert in Prague
  • individual and/or group masterclasses & coaching
  • pre-festival and/or in-festival classes in diction in Italian, German & Czech
  • and other career development opportunities.

 

4 Weeks | Tábor & Prague

In 2026, PSN will return 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 will stage 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 vocalists will join the opera scenes program and perform in an opera scenes concert featuring famous Czech opera scenes.  This program is prepared in collaboration with Tim Cheek, one of the world’s leading experts on Czech opera & Czech pronunciation for singing. The program includes Czech diction classes with Tim Cheek while the concert will feature scenes from contemporary Czech opera as well as scenes from standard German and Italian opera repertoire. Czech composer represented include notable names such as Dvořák, Nedbal, Smetana, Janacek and more.  Vocalists will work directly with PSN coaches and stage directors on every aspect of bringing the scenes to the stage.

Vocalists will also perform 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 features 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 will rehearse and perform a rigorous program for three full orchestral concerts set to be performed in beautiful and notable concert halls & venues in the Czech Republic. During the festival, PSN will have visiting clinicians offering their expert skills, coaching members of the orchestra, and instrumentalists will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform side-by-side with professional Czech instrumentalists for a week in Prague.

During the festival instrumentalists will also have the opportunity to participate in a chamber music program, which will feature ensembles formed from members of the Prague Summer Nights Orchestra who will work closely with PSN faculty to rehearse and prepare for the showcase in Prague.  One of the ensembles will be the performing ensemble for Puccini’s Suor Angelica in Prague.  

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

Prague Summer Nights offers opportunities beyond performance to vocalists 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 will assist in all rehearsals and classes, working alongside esteemed PSN faculty and facilitating all opera performance preparations.  Assistant stage directors will work closely with their assigned PSN Faculty Director and be given the opportunity to assist with the preparations of all opera performances, gaining working experience in unique and spectacular venues.  Arts administrators will 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 will end with the entire PSN Company giving two concerts of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and two concerts of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in the historic and magnificent Estates Theatre in Prague.  The Estates Theatre has been the traditional home of PSN, where the entire company takes the final curtain call of the festival, and we are excited to return there in 2026.  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 2026 for a most memorable summer performing on the historic stages of the Czech Republic.

Prague Summer Nights is presented by Classical Movements.

Our 2025 Cities

Tábor

Tábor

Tábor is a charming south Bohemian town, dating back to 1420. Surrounded by historical architecture, breathtaking views, and a bustling town square, the old town has winding cobblestone streets, an ancient castle, baroque churches, underground tunnels, as well as restaurants, pubs and coffee shops.
Prague

Prague

Prague/Praha is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is the capital of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. It has been a political, musical, cultural, and economic center of Europe for much of its 1,100-year existence.

What Our Students Say

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • “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, Mezzo-Soprano

  • “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, Conducting Apprentice

  • 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 PSN 17

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

    Nico Laruina, Vocalist

  • “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, Vocalist

  • “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., voice

  • “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., voice

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

    Heather G., violin

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

    Preet S., cello

  • "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., cello

  • “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., violin

  • "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., soprano

  • “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., clarinet

  • “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