The Sir Elton John Global Exchange Programme began in September 2022 and allows talented young artists to expand their musical horizons and share their work and culture with others across the globe.

‘My passion is to help nurture the next generation of global artists. Music can and should transcend borders, and I am delighted to be supporting a scheme which offers high-level, tangible opportunities to talented young musicians coming together from many different countries.'
Elton John

Students from twelve top global conservatoires take part in educational exchanges with the Academy. Up to 20 students take part in exchanges each year, which vary in length from one week of intensive project-based work to a full year of study.

Institutions partnering with us in the Programme include:

  • Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris
  • Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto
  • Hanns Eisler Academy, Berlin
  • Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
  • Juilliard School, New York
  • University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
  • Reina Sofía School of Music, Madrid
  • Shanghai Conservatory of Music
  • Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts, Helsinki
  • Sydney Conservatorium of Music
  • University of Music and Performing Arts, Munich
  • Tokyo University of the Arts

'I think it's really important that these programmes exist to give the chance to students all over the world to develop their musical skills. I'm really inspired by being here in London, in a new city, and to have the opportunity of performing with Academy students.'

Javier Sanz - Reina Sofía School of Music, Madrid

'Having never visited the U.K. before, I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to take part in this exchange. Understanding my place in the larger global musical community is exciting and inspiring, and the Global Exchange programme has been instrumental in broadening my viewpoint.'

Rebecca Miller - Glenn Gould School, Toronto

Here are some videos from our students' recent experiences on the Programme in Tokyo and New York:

@royalacadofmusic Last month Academy composition student, Rockey Sūn Kētíng visited Tokyo University of the Arts as part of the Elton John Global Exchange Programme, composing new music for Koto and Shakuhachi 🚀 #eltonjohn #royalacademyofmusic #musicstudents #classicalmusic #composition #exchangeprogramme ♬ Natural Emotions - Muspace Lofi
@royalacadofmusic A few months ago one of our MA conducting students, Charlotte, travelled to NYC as part of the Elton John Global Exchange Programme 🚀 This programme enables students from twelve conservatoires across the world to take part in educational exchanges with the Academy. Here is Charlotte’s trip in 25 seconds… #newyorkcity #broadway #juilliard #conductor #eltonjohn ♬ original sound - AntiNightcore