The Art of Lied

& Mélodie

Music Festival and Mastercourse

A Summer Program for Singers and Pianists Who Love Art Song

July 25 – August 2, 2025

The Art of Lied

& Mélodie

Music Festival and Mastercourse

A Summer Program for Singers and Pianists Who Love Art Song

July 25 – August 2, 2025

The Art of Lied

& Mélodie

Music Festival and Mastercourse

A Summer Program for Singers and Pianists Who Love Art Song

July 25 – August 2, 2025

We believe in collaborating artists

That’s why we invite you to come experience nine days of intensive collaborative music training with two experts of art song in the city of Kitchener, Ontario!

Embark on a musical journey by teaming up with a talented singer or pianist in a collaborative duo. Delve into the world of Art Song under the guidance of two seasoned performers and educators in exclusive public masterclasses.

This year, we will be focusing on exploring French Mélodie in addition to Lieder. Bring the selections of Lieder and Mélodie you would love to polish and perfect, and perform them in private and public concerts.

Discover the vibrant twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario as you refine your performance abilities. Savor the wealth of restaurants offering a diverse variety of ethnic cuisines. Learn, practice, and perform your art in the atmosphere of its beautiful, historic churches.

Meet the Faculty

Daniel Lichti

Laetitia Bougnol

Want to learn more about our faculty?

“As a singer, I’ve never participated in a masterclass where the focus was on both the collaborative pianist and the singer equally. Having the opportunity to participate in workshops of this nature allowed me to gain new perspectives and understanding of the music we were working on. I had a fulfilling, enriching, and inspiring week in the Art of Lied program and I highly recommend this experience to singers and collaborative pianists.”

Grace Ronan
Mezzo Soprano

The Art of Lied masterclass was a wonderful and valuable experience for refreshing my skills and gaining new insights into creating expressive, supportive piano accompaniments for singers. Dan and Laetitia offered excellent instruction, both on collaborative performance in general and specifically on Lied. I came away from the festival feeling well-prepared to dive into collaborative work in my new city. The daily schedule kept things engaging with regular masterclasses and performance opportunities, and I appreciated the professional video recordings of the final concerts.

Becky Reesor​
Classical & Contemporary Pianist

I felt musically and emotionally fulfilled by my partnership with Natalia Sawyer and what we were able to accomplish in our short time together under Dan Lichti and Laetitia’s expert coaching. I have many takeaways from my involvement in their Art of Lied program; I learned that I can trust my instincts with even greater fidelity. I can allow myself the freedom to fully immerse in the poetry and the stories I create; to let my imagination do the work and to play with the colours and expressivity of my instrument unapologetically. And, perhaps above all else, not to attempt to align myself with others; to make and defend my own choices — to be my own artist.

Autumn Debassige
Mezzo Soprano

The inaugural Art of Lied program was a highlight of my personal and professional year. The opportunity to immerse in such an important work as ‘Winterreise’, and really connect with its interpretation and communication with an unparalleled soprano partner was a treat and an honour, as was the invaluable coaching from a seasoned duo that exemplified the true spirit and chemistry coveted and to be cherished in collaborative pianism. Daniel Lichti’s attention to expressive descriptive text with his velvet baritone revealed the soul of the work, while Laetitia’s Bougnol’s nuanced technical mastery at the piano guided us through the heart wrenching journey in a way that allowed each and every listener to relate and reflect. I learnt so much, about myself, about my partner, about lieder!

Clare Marion​
Pianist, Educator, Collaborator

The Art of Lied program deepened my love for Lieder. Both Daniel and Laetitia proved to be patient and encouraging instructors, and I was grateful for the opportunity to expand my repertoire and hear the incredible choices my peers made in their performances. Overall, the Art of Lied program has enriched my passion for music, and I am truly thankful to have been a part of such a transformative experience.

Meghan Mair​
Soprano

Develop your artistry, whether a Pianist or a Singer

We look forward to helping you refine your skills, and to sharing our love of music with you!

July 25 – August 2