This project fosters collaboration and professional ties between Armenia and Germany while offering master classes, and international-level expertise to the classical guitarists in Armenia, which results in the form of educational videos available for everyone.
The program will be led by Mr. Thomas Fellow, a professor at the Dresden University of Music, composer, and performer, with the assistance of Ms. Valeria Galimova, classical guitarist, Primavera Foundation Mentor
“During my school years, the music of Aram Khachaturian was listened a lot in Germany, which left a deep impression on me. Later, while on tour with Armenian pianist Margarita Oganesyan, who spoke about Armenia with great love, showed photos, and played Armenian music, my connection to the country grew even stronger. Impressions from this trip, as well as the enthusiastic stories about Armenia shared by my student Valeria Galimova, inspired me to compose the piece “Yerevan”, which will be included in Valeria’s debut album.” – Thomas Fellow, professor of Musica composer, guitarist
Mr Thomas Fellow connects classical and modern guitar, blending styles worldwide. His skills go beyond genres, combining tradition with new ideas.
“Enchanting, unique” – Akustik Gitarre Magazin
“Top class guitarist” – Times Of India
“Absolutely great. And when I say great, I mean great!” – Fred Wesley ( James Brown)“The Duduk is one of my favorite instruments, and its sound truly fascinates me. Armenian culture, with its ancient Orthodox traditions, has always captured my attention.” – Thomas Fellow, professor, composer & guitarist
“Armenia was love at first sight when I came for the first time a year ago. The people, the culture, the nature — everything left me deeply moved. I was especially struck by the genuine love Armenians have for their country and the incredible hospitality they extend to every stranger.
The idea of bringing world-class musicians to Armenia came to me during my master classes with young musicians from various regions of Armenia. Most of them lack the opportunity to travel abroad or interact with international musicians, which is crucial for their musical development.
The first person who came to mind was my professor, Thomas Fellow, an expert in music genres and styles from around the world. He was immediately enthusiastic about the idea, and together, we began organizing the project right away!”
Project Scope & Schedule
This program offers comprehensive guidance from a leading German music expert, helping you grow as a guitarist and explore international opportunities. You’ll master diverse styles like Latino, Brazilian, Spanish, and crossover guitar, enhancing your versatility and technique.
- Learn effective practice methods to progress faster, tackle challenges, and stay focused.
- Explore creative composition approaches and improvisation to expand your musical expression, adaptability, and collaboration skills.
- Gain insights into global music industry trends, building connections and cultural understanding to boost your prospects for studying or performing abroad.
April 25, 2025
Master Classes. Video Recording Workshop: World Music/Modern Styles
April 26, 2025
09:00
Lectures (Video Recording):
• Focused Practice
• Various Musical Styles in Guitar Playing (Latin, Brazilian, Spanish, etc.)
19:00
Music from All Around the World. Gala Concert
Performers: Armenian musicians, Valeria Galimova
April 27, 2025
Sightseeing Day, Birthday Celebration
ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION
- Armenian passport holders or Armenian 10 years special passport holders
- At least a year of previous permanent residentship in Armenia on the date of application (proven by Armenian tax residency certificate)
- Age restrictions: over 16 years old (inclusive) on the date of the application
Before filling in the application, please make sure that you have at your disposal the following assets.
For everyone:
Successful applicants will be notified by email and phone, and announced on the Primavera Foundation Armenia social media profiles.
- The link to your video recording (not later than 12 months), preferably unedited
- Biography or CV
- A photo in JPG format (high resolution)
- Copy of the passport / Birth certificate
- Tax Residency Certificate
Successful nominees and winners will be notified by email and announced on the Primavera Foundation Armenia social media.
ABOUT PROFESSOR THOMAS FELLOW
Thomas Fellow studied concert guitar at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Weimar with Monika and Jürgen Rost. As a concert guitarist, he won prizes in various international competitions, played as a soloist with outstanding orchestras (including the Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Chamber Orchestra Berlin), and performed in India, Brazil, the USA, Russia, and many European cities.
He ended his classical career in 1992 with a successful concert at the Berlin Philharmonic. Since then, he has concentrated on his music in selected projects. With his two duos FRIEND `N FELLOW and HANDS ON STRINGS as well as the European Guitar Quartett (with Zoran Dukic, Pavel Steidl and Reentko Dirks), he has played almost 3,000 concerts in over 30 countries. With the quartet, he has played at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, and the Kaufmann Concert Hall in New York.
Thomas Fellow has also been increasingly active as a composer and author for a few years. Some of his compositions can already be found on CDs by well-known artists, are played in concerts worldwide, or are taught in over 60 countries through the TRINITY College program. His edition “Fellow Guitar Music Collection” is published by Schott Music, as is his standard work for the guitar as an accompanying instrument, “Fellow Guitar Book”.
He has been teaching at the Dresden University of Music since 1992. Within a few years, he developed the idea of a universal and contemporary guitar training course, which is now one of the leading training centres for this instrument with many competition winners, scholarship holders and internationally performing artists. In 2018, Thomas Fellow was awarded the Saxon Teaching Prize for this innovative idea.
Thomas Fellow was a long-time guest lecturer for “World Music/Modern Styles” at the Weimar University of Music and is regularly invited to universities (e.g. Capital University Columbus / USA; Real Conservatorio Superior de Musica Granada / Spain; Anton Bruckner Private University Linz / Austria) and to renowned festivals around the world.
In addition to his professorship at the Dresden University of Music and his activities as a composer, label founder, and festival organiser, he focuses wholeheartedly on his three musical projects:
Friend `N Fellow, Hands On Strings, European Guitar Quartet
CONTACT US
For more details, eligibility inquiries, or application support, reach out to our team at edu(@)primavera-foundation.com
By uniting musicians, educators, and audiences, this project aspires to inspire creativity and deepen cultural understanding through the universal language of music.