Taipei, June 22, 2026            The ESO Academy, established by the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (ESO) under the Chang Yung-fa Foundation, today opened the first two sessions of its fourteen-day '2026 Masterclass Festival' at the Foundation building.

The Evergreen Symphony Orchestra noted that, in keeping with the Foundation's commitment to charitable work and local music education, this festival brings together exceptional faculty at affordable rates. This includes tuition reductions for students with financial need, thus carrying forward the philanthropic ideals of founder Dr. Chang Yung-fa. 

The festival focuses on the training and audition systems of leading international orchestras. The faculty is drawn from the principals of the San Francisco Symphony, Sydney Symphony, and Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, presenting an academic standard rarely seen in Taiwan. ESO Concertmaster Ting-shuo Chang, along with the orchestra's string principals, leads coaching sessions in performance technique and interpretation.

The festival's Workshops & Seminars feature international guest artists sharing practical guidance for young musicians. In the 'Competition & Audition Preparation' session, Yubeen Kim, winner of the world's three major flute competitions, alongside oboist Eugene Izotov (both San Francisco Symphony principals) and Concertgebouw harpist Anneleen Schuitemaker, will discuss preparation strategy and repertoire planning. In 'Encouraging Healthy Lifelong Musicianship,' Sydney Symphony principal trumpet David Elton and Concertgebouw principal horn Katy Woolley will explore career development, stage-anxiety management, and coping with pressure.
 

Today's opening session, 'Introduction to Orchestral Practice,' led by Ting-shuo Chang, was designed to help young performers chart their careers and examined the structure and rehearsal culture of professional orchestras. Professors from domestic conservatories were also invited to observe, in hopes that pairing international experience with local scholarship will strengthen music education in Taiwan.

The ESO and the Chang Yung-fa Foundation have long supported music education across Taiwan, from school music programs nationwide to 'Music Is Fun' projects. The Evergreen Symphony Orchestra will also join its Artist-in-Residence, renowned conductor Jaap van Zweden, for a free 'ESO Community Concert' featuring Mahler's Symphony No. 1, on the afternoon of July 17th at the Foundation building. Social welfare organizations and the public are invited. For registration details, Please visit the Foundation's and ESO's website and social media pages.