From ancient Ambrosian Chants to cutting-edge multi-media installations, Italy has always been at the forefront of musical innovation. As a music student in Milan, you have the opportunity to work with world-class musicians, soak-up the local music scene, perform at a variety of venues, and attend a wide variety of performances.
Whether you’re fluent in Italian or you can only say ciao, you’ll be welcomed with open arms by the IES Abroad Milan Center staff. At the Center, you will find a program with a full range of opportunities for instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, and performance majors, in partnership with both the Civica Scuola di Musica, the Conservatorio G. Verdi, and the Milano Classica Chamber Orchestra (spring only).
In Milan, you get an education tailored specifically to your musical needs and interests. Enjoy being surrounded by some of the world’s top musicians and educators—including the Center Director who is an active composer and music scholar whose pieces are performed worldwide!
Milan will also be your classroom. Envision yourself catching an opera at La Scala or working as an apprentice with some of the top musicians in the world. Welcome to your life as a study abroad student in Milan!
At IES Abroad, we want you to make the most out of your time in Milan. You are paired with an instructor who can help you hone and develop your area of study, have the chance to play in an ensemble, and take courses in music theory or history at one of IES Abroad’s partner institutions.
We also help you with instrument rentals and studio time arrangements. You are invited to attend performances on a regular basis, from productions at La Scala to smaller concerts at intimate venues throughout the city.
These dates are preliminary and are subject to change. Students should not book flights according to these dates.
If taking IES Abroad courses only
If taking courses at a partner institution
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
You are placed in classes and ensembles to enhance not just what you learn, but how you learn it, and provide you with new perspectives each day in class. Milan features many highly-qualified local instructors for both voice and instrumental performance to enrich your learning experience.
Also, you may use concert venues for recitals, and attend concerts and rehearsals of professional performance organizations such as La Scala, La Verdi, Milano Classica, and Italian musical productions. In addition, we will help you with instrument rentals and studio time arrangements—all rental costs will be covered by IES Abroad.
You take 15–19 credit hours per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. Language courses are taught in Italian, and all other courses are taught in English or Italian.
You create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:
This program offers a full range of high-level music options, including:
Vocal Performance
Instrumental Performance: All Instruments
Music Theory and Composition
Music History
Milano Classica Chamber Orchestra: String Orchestra Assistantship The string orchestra assistantship is designed to offer undergraduate string performers the opportunity to enhance their orchestral practice of both early Baroque and Classical repertoire, including relevant chamber music literature when applicable. Music students will also increase their performance skills and introduce them to performance practice with original instruments. Milano Classica, a renowned chamber orchestra that has been active on the professional Milanese scene since 1992, welcomes U.S. college students to participate in their concert season at the beautiful Palazzina Liberty Hall.
Lessons and Private Instruction Past IES Abroad Milan Music students have worked with the following: Bassoon Valentino Zucchiatti, Professor, Accademia de La Scala Cello Silvio Righini, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di MusicaClarinet Maurizio Longoni, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Luigi Magistrelli, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Milan Fabrizio Meloni, First Clarinet, La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra Double Bass Lutz Schumacher, La Scala and Lugano Radio Orchestras, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Paolo Rizzi, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Flute Paola Fre, Professor, Istituto Musicale “Vittadini”, Pavia French Horn Hermes Pecchinini, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica, Conservatorio “V. Bellini”, Palermo Guitar Simone Fontanelli, Professor, University of Mozarteum, Salzburg (Classical) Marco Pisoni, Professor and Director, Accademica Musicale di Brera, Milan (Classical) Riccardo Bianchi, Professor, Civici Corsi di Jazz (Jazz) Walter Muto, Student Services, IES Abroad Milano (Folk) Harp Mara Galassi, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica (Baroque) Luisa Prandina, First Harp, La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra (Modern) Oboe Guido Toschi, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Percussion Andrea Dulbecco, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Milan Piano Mariagrazia Bellocchio, Professor, Istituto Superiore “G. Donizetti”, Bergamo Silva Costanzo, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Angela Lazzaroni, Co-Director, Accademia Ambrosiana, Milan Victoria Terekiev, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Lorenzo De Finti, Professor, Scuola Svizzera, Milan; Editor, Radio Svizzera Italiana (Jazz) Saxophone Ausonio Calò, Professor, Conservatorio “N. Piccinni”, Bari Mario Marzi, La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Milan Giulio Visibelli, Professor, Civici Corsi di Jazz (Jazz) Trombone Fulvio Clementi, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Como Trumpet Gabriele Cassone, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Cantelli”, Novara Andrea Giuffredi, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Francesco Tamiati, First Trumpet, La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra Tuba Fulvio Clementi, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Como Viola Mauro Righini, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Turin Violin Carlo Lazzaroni, First Part, “Il Giardino Armonico” Consory, Founder, Accademia Ambrosiana, Milan Carlo Feige, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Francesco Parrino, Soloist and Private Instructor Vocal Coaching Maurizio Carnelli, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Giovanni Fornasieri, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Angela Lazzaroni, Co-Director, Accademia Ambrosiana, Milan Voice Patrizia Zanardi, Professor, Conservatorio "G. Frescobaldi" Ferrara Vincenzo Manno, La Scala Chorus, Milan Janet Perry, Professor, Bern University of the Arts, Switzerland Acting for Singers Antonello Madau-Diaz, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Composition Roberto Andreoni, Director, IES Abroad Milano; Professor, Conservatorio “N. Piccinni”, Bari Filippo Del Corno, President, Fondazione Milan; Professor, Conservatorio, “G. Tartini”, Trieste Simone Fontanelli, Professor, University of Mozarteum, Salzburg Luca Francesconi, Professor, Musikhögskolan, Malmö, Sweden Carlo Pessina, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Giovanni Verrando, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica, Conservatory of Lugano Michele Tadini, Professor, Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique, Lyon Music Theory Roberto Andreoni, Director, IES Abroad Milano; Professor, Conservatorio “N. Piccinni”, Bari Andrea Melis, Professor and Director, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Yoichi Sugiyama, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Conducting Renato Rivolta, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Computer Music, Music Technology Michele Tadini, Professor, Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique, Lyon AGON Ard Magnetica (Massimo Marchi, dir.) Kernel Studios (Massimo Avantaggiato, dir.) Ear Training Yoichi Sugiyama, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Musicianship Marco Pisoni, Professor and Director, Accademica Musicale di Brera, Milan Yoichi Sugiyama, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica Music History Diego Fratelli, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica (Middle Ages, Renaissance) Gianluca Capuano, Conductor and Researcher (Renaissance, Baroque) Marco Pisoni, Professor and Director, Accademica Musicale di Brera, Milan (General) Francesco Maria Colombo, Conductor (Opera, 18th and 19th centuries) Enrico Girardi, Professor, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan (Opera, 20th century) Ensembles and Choirs A Cappella Choir, Coro CLU (Pippo Molino, cond.) Baroque String Consort, Orchestra Milano Classica (Gianluca Capuano, cond.) Civici Corsi di Jazz, Gospel Choir (Giorgio Ubaldi, cond.) Jazz Band, Jazz Theory (Fabio Jegher, cond.) Symphonic Choir, I Civici Cori (Mario Valsecchi, cond.) Symphonic Choir, Nuova Polifonica Ambrosiana (Fabio Locatelli, cond.) Symphony Orchestra, La Verdi per Tutti (Jader Bignamini, Erina Gambarini, cond.) Wind Ensemble (Silvano Scanziani, cond.)
The IES Abroad Milan Music program offers an exciting array of opportunities:
IES Abroad Milan Music Courses
Private Instrument and Voice Instruction Past students have studied with the following faculty/ensembles
Composition, Music Theory and TechnologyPast students have studied with the following faculty/ensembles
Music HistoryPast students have studied with the following faculty/ensembles
Ensembles and ChoirsPast students have studied with the following faculty/ensembles
Fondazione Milano ‘Civica Scuola di Musica’www.fondazionemilano.eu/musica The largest private music school in Italy, the Scuola Civica di Musica includes schools of:
A music application and audition audio file or video file/weblink are required, and private non-performance music classes may be arranged in Italian or English.
Courses If you don’t have experience with the Italian language, you may enroll in technique and performance classes. Advanced Italian is required for theory courses, although some English-taught theory courses may be arranged as an independent study. Based on the number of contact hours, you earn 2-3 credits per course for instruction, private lessons, and ensemble work.
Location & Commute Time The Scuola Civica di Musica is located near the Piazza Firenze, which is north of the city center, about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) from the IES Abroad Milan Center. The commute time from the Scuola Civica di Musica to the Milan Center is approximately a 40 minute walk or 15-20 minutes by metro.
Conservatorio G. Verdi Founded in 1807, the Conservatorio G. Verdi is the largest music school in Italy, enrolling 2,000 students each year. Some of Italy’s most famous musicians have graduated from or taught at the Conservatorio.
Courses Individual instruction may be arranged with faculty from the Conservatorio, or you may apply for full instruction.
While adding study abroad to your resume is impressive enough, adding an international internship experience is even more powerful, and can help distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity in today’s competitive job market.
An internship provides an invaluable cultural experience, and helps you develop professional and personal skills. Placement depends upon your background, your resume, and language ability.
The internship is complemented by a required 3-credit seminar that offers contextual support to your practical work experience in the European setting.
Placement Examples:
IES Abroad Milan organizes field study trips that complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of Italian culture and society.
IES Abroad co-sponsors attendance at concerts and rehearsals of professional performance organizations, such as La Scala, La Verdi, and Milano Classica. Some past examples include:
Other past field excursions included:
Our job is to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding what landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Milan, it will feel like home.
Homestays - A limited numbers of placements are available in Milanese homes throughout the city. This is a priceless opportunity to learn about Italian families first-hand and engage directly with Italian culture. You will have a private room at your homestay and you will receive breakfast and dinner daily. Enjoy your other meals at university cafeterias, bars, or restaurants.
Apartments - Share a furnished apartment in the city with four to seven students. These apartments are single-sex, and you generally share a bedroom with another student.
You can request to live with an Italian roommate who is either a college student or young working professional called a Community Assistant (CA). These assistants can help you with directions to scenic sites, lend a hand with Italian homework, share advice on the best places to go shopping, and offer many other useful hints and tips. Not only do the Italian CAs live in roughly half of the apartments, but they also spend time at the IES Abroad Center answering questions and working for the program. If improving your Italian is your highest priority, you may also ask to live in an Italian-language only apartment.
Meals are not included, so you normally eat lunch at a local café or one of the university cafeterias and prepare your own breakfast and dinner at home. Located on main public transportation routes near the Center, apartments are fully equipped with washing machines, Internet access, and other amenities.
Collegio di Milano - This residence for Italian and international honors students offers single rooms with private bathrooms and balconies. The facilities include a computer room, library, small gym, cafeteria, private park, and an auditorium for special cultural programs. Three meals are provided daily. Space is limited, and students are chosen by the Collegio based on academic merit. Because of the additional amenities, this option carries an additional fee. Visit their website for details.
Part of making you feel at home in Milan is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that prepares you, housing that is well- located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
The program begins with a four-day orientation to get you familiar with the IES Abroad Milan staff, your fellow students, and the city of Milan. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety are covered during orientation.
Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
After orientation, you participate in a two-week intensive language program designed to help beginning-level students gain practical language skills and to acclimatize them to the local environment. IES Abroad schedules several field studies and tours to introduce you to the history, culture, and surroundings of Milan.
Redefine the way you live and learn in Milan through cultural events, such as:
Although your adventure begins in Milan, our field trips take you to other great cities in Italy to provide contrast and context for what you are learning in Milan. You share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad. Past destinations are listed below.
Lake Maggiore 1 Day | Fall Don’t miss the beautiful city of Stresa, located on the shores of Lake Maggiore. It’s here you’ll take a ferry to the Borromean Islands to see enchanting houses and gardens of Isola Bella.
Tuscany 3 Days | Fall Tour the Tuscany countryside and visit the medieval towns of Pienza, Siena, Montalcino, and Arezzo. Hear the Gregorian chant of the monks of Sant’Antimo Abbey and soak up the knowledge you will learn at the museum of wine.
Sicily 4 Days | Fall Experience the cradle of Western Civilization, the home of Magna Grecia, a unique place full of art, archeology, myth, history, folklore, and breathtaking sceneries. Visit baroque Catania, Europe’s highest active volcano, Etna; and the magical mountaintop town of Taormina.
Northern Italy 3 Days | Spring Dive into the culture and cuisine of Northern Italy with guided tours of Cremona, Parma, and Mantova.
Ski Trip 3 Days | Spring A charming town in the Alps is your destination for skiing, ice skating, and hiking on Europe’s highest mountain.
Lombardy 1 Day | Spring Explore the Romanesque and Gothic heritage of Lombardy by visiting abbeys and castles located on the outskirts of Milan.
IES ABROAD MILAN Via Carducci, 26 | 20123 Milano, Italy The IES Abroad Milan Center is located in the city’s bustling historic center, near the prestigious Università Cattolica.
Features include:
Roberto AndreoniIES Abroad Director Roberto Andreoni, Director, IES Abroad Milan, holds a doctorate in Music Composition from the University of California, Berkeley. His undergraduate degrees were earned at the Conservatorio G. Verdi in Milan and the Accademia Internazionale della Musica. He previously served as the Director of the Civica Scuola di Musica in Assago and of the Accademia Internazionale della Musica in Milan. Dr. Andreoni is an active composer whose works are regularly performed and recorded. In addition to his responsibilities as Program Director, he also serves as the Music Coordinator for IES Abroad Milan.
IES Abroad Staff
Irene BaldoniAssistant Director
Laura CarreraInternship Coordinator
Luca BlumerAcademic Advisor for Outside Institutions & Customized Programs
Maria BondAcademic Assistant
Walter MutoStudent Services Coordinator
Manuela NigrelliHousing Coordinator
Anna SalandiniFiscal Administrator
Faculty
Costanza AsnaghiItalian Master’s in Teaching Italian to Foreigners, Università Ca' Foscari, Venezia. Degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures (Specialization in Information Sciences and Social Communication), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
Anna BelloniItalian Degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures, Università Statale degli Studi di Milano
Chiara BodiniItalian Master’s in Intercultural policies, Università degli Studi di Firenze; Degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
Daria CantùSocial Innovation and Sustainability Master’s in Service Design, Politecnico di Milano; Doctoral Student in Design and Innovation for Sustainability
Marco CapovillaPhotography Degree in Information Sciences, Università di Pisa; Doctorate from the Scuola Normale di Pisa; Researcher at the University of California – Berkeley
Gianluca CapuanoMusicMusicologist, Conductor, Director, Orchestra Milano Classica
Laura CarreraInternship SeminarWorked for Hewlett-Packard for 16 years as Marketing Communication Specialist, responsible for magazines, catalogs and the Italian website. Now a Consultant in various areas: website start-up, stock exchange market, marketing communication, accounting, new media advertising, luxury merchandising. Degree in Economics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
Gabriele CavalliniArt History Doctorate from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano; Degree in Art History, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
Francesco ColomboMusic Conductor; Conducted orchestras in Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Albania, South Korea, the United States, Mexico and Argentina. Works regularly with the Orchestra Sinfonica Giuseppe Verdi in Milan
Erica CorbelliniManaging Fashion and Luxury Companies, International Business Degree in Business Administration, Università Bocconi, Milano; Professor at the Università Bocconi
Simone FontanelliMusic Composer and Conductor; Degree in Composition, Conservatorio "G. Verdi", Milano
Silvia FrancalanzaItalian Degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures, Libera Università di Lingue e Comunicazione (IULM), Milano; Professional Translator with a specialization in Insurance and Medicine
Giovanna FungiPsychology Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Doctorate in Transcultural Psychotherapy, Fondazione Cecchini-Pace (Milano)
Enrico GirardiMusic History Doctorate in Musicology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano; Degree in Modern Literature, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano; Post-doctorate work at the Università Cattolica, Conservatorio "Giuseppe Verdi", and Accademia Internazionale della Musica, Milano; Music Critic for "Il Corriere della Sera"
Silvia GobbiItalian Degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures, Instituto Universitario di Lingue e Letterature Moderne, Milano; Master’s in Italian, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
Silvana GrecoSociology Degree in Economics from Università Bocconi, Milano; Doctorate in Sociology, Università degli Studi di Milano
Angela LazzaroniMusic Degree in Piano and Harpsichord, Civica Scuola di Musica and Conservatorio “G.Verdi”, Milano
Sante MalettaItalian History Doctorate in Philosophy, Università degli Studi di Roma; Degree in Philosophy, Università degli Studi di Milano; Lecturer, Philosophy, Università degli Studi della Calabria
Elena MarangioneItalian Degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
Nazzareno MazziniCinema Degree in Philosophy, Università Statale, Milano; Professor of Graphics adn Digital-Virtual Design, IED (Istituto Europeo di Design), Milano
Kevin McManusArt History PhD program at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Master’s in Art History, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
Renata PalermoItalian Degree in Communication Sciences, Università degli Studi di Catania and in Culture and Languages for Communication, Università degli Studi di Milano; Master’s in Italian Literature, University of Virginia, USA
Francesco ParrinoMusic Violinist, PhD in Italian Music, Royal Holloway College, University of London; Master’s of Music, Royal Academy of Music, London; Degree in Music, Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Utrecht; Degree in Violin, Conservatorio “Giuseppe Verdi”, Milano
Mara PerbelliniFilm Studies Master’s in Screenwriting, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano; Degree in Letters and Philosophy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano; Founder of Studio metaphora, script development and consulting company
Marco PisoniModern Art and Design, Music Degree in Letters and Musicology, Università degli Studi di Pavia; Degree in Guitar, Conservatorio; Professor at the Scuola Politecnica di Design, Milano
Francesca PolaArt History Doctorate in Contemporary Art History, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano; Degree in Modern Letters, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano; Lecturer, Contemporary Art History, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Brescia
Stefano ProcacciPolitical Science Doctorate in Political Representations and Behaviors, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
Liat RogelSocial Innovation and Sustainability Doctoral program at Politecnico di Milano; Master’s in Service Design, Politecnico di Milano
Rocco RonzaPolitical Science, Sociology Doctorate in Sociology and Social Research, Università degli Studi di Trento; Degree in political Science, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano; Professor, Centro Interuniversitario Italiano, Pàsmàny Peter Catholic University, Budapest and the Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca
Maria SepaItalian Literature PhD in Italian Literature, Brown University; Degree in Letters, Università degli Studi di Roma; Consultant, Bompiani publishing company, Milano
Carlotta SoffiantiniItalian Degree in Modern Letters, Università Cattolica di Milano; Diploma DITALS (Teaching Italian to Foreigners),Università per Stranieri di Siena; Master’s in Italian, Università Cattolica di Milano; Doctoral Program in Linguistics, Università Cattolica, Milano
Francesco TanzilliItalian Politics Doctorate in History, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano; Degree in History, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano; Visiting Scholar, Notre Dame University and New York University
Luca ToccaceliCommunications Degree in Philosophy from the Università degli Studi di Milano; Music consultant and publisher
Caterina ZaiontzPsychology Doctorate in Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy, Scuola di Psicoterapia psicoanalitica (IPA), Milano; Degree in Clinical Psychology, Università degli Studi di Padova; Degree in Applied Linguistics, Institute of Linguists of London; Director, International Studio of Mental Health, Milan Clinical Psychologist/Psychoanalyist
Patrizia ZanardiVoiceSoprano - Extensive international performances, Diploma Conservatorio "G. Verdi" Torino, Cum Laude, M.A Verdi's Repertoire, Conservatorio "G. Nicolini" Piacenza, Cum Laude, M.A Art Song and Vocal Chamber Music, Conservatorio "G. Nicolini" Piacenza, Cum Laude, Voice Prof. Conservatorio "G. Frescobaldi" Ferrara.
Donatella ZappieriManaging Fashion and Luxury Companies, International Business Degree in Foreign Languages (English and French), Geneva University; PR manager and design director
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