Academy | Empyrean Orchestra

Empyrean Academy

For Children

The Empyrean Orchestra is committed not only to musical excellence on stage but also to nurturing the next generation. With the founding of the Empyrean Academy for Children, the orchestra provides a vibrant platform where children of all ages can discover and explore music, play in an ensemble, and gain initial experience in conducting.

The ensemble welcomes instrumentalists of all levels. For children with no prior musical experience, we offer a consultation and assessment, paired with a playful and caring introduction to music. We start with simple fundamentals and, if desired, the first experience of trying out an instrument, ensuring they find the best way to begin their musical journey. Please feel free to contact me directly.

The Academy takes place weekly during the semester and is led by violinist and conductor Kevin Griffiths along with musicians of the Empyrean Orchestra. Through this initiative, the Empyrean Orchestra connects artistic work with long-term youth development, actively contributing to sustainable cultural growth.

Kevin Griffiths with young conductor

Conducting is fun for children and at the same time strengthens their self-confidence, communication skills, and sense of responsibility. In the ensemble, they experience cooperation instead of competition, learn to listen to one another, and see how music connects people.

We playfully and instructively show what music can mean and what effects it can have. Children explore instruments, rhythms, and sounds and embark on a spontaneous and creative journey of development.

Those who wish to delve deeper into the world of conducting can participate in individual sessions occasionally offered as preparation for advanced ensemble lessons.

About Kevin Griffiths:

Born in London, the Swiss conductor Kevin Griffiths is part of the third generation of conductors in his family.

He has always been passionate about educational projects and supporting children and young artists. He aims to provide them with a platform to perform, and has conducted and hosted many children's concerts, including with the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich and the Basel Symphony Orchestra.

His father, Howard Griffiths, became known for his "Teddy Bear" and "Kiko" concert series, and founded the Zurich Youth Symphony Orchestra nearly 40 years ago – evidently, Kevin has inherited this passion.

With the Zurich Conservatory of Music, Kevin conducted an orchestra of 300 children in the Tonhalle Zurich. He has also worked with the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of St. Gallen, served as a jury member for the conducting graduation exams at the Haute École de Musique Genève, and conducted their university orchestra.

Kevin am Fiddle-Fest in der Tonhalle Zürich.jpg

Kevin at the Fiddle-Fest in the Tonhalle Zurich

He is a welcome guest at renowned festivals such as the Menuhin Festival Gstaad, the Rheingau Music Festival, the Holland Festival, and the Biennale di Venezia.

Kevin Griffiths has conducted renowned orchestras, including the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in London. From 2011 to 2018, he was Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Collegium Musicum Basel.

Among the soloists with whom he has collaborated are Sir James Galway, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Kian Soltani, Anastasia Kobekina, Reinhold Friedrich, and Vesselina Kasarova.

With the Empyrean Orchestra and the Empyrean Academy, both founded by him, Kevin aims to explore new paths in concert performance and music education.

Young Conductors

Fall Semester 2025

Weekly Classes:

Thursdays, 18:45–19:45

Location:

Yen Han Ballet Productions (Entrance A, 2nd floor)
Freihofstrasse 208700 Küsnacht

The cost for the fall semester is CHF 870, which includes an intensive

rehearsal weekend, a final concert, and two complimentary tickets for parents.

Class Dates – Fall Semester 2025

28.08.2025 Trial session (free)
18.09. Semester start – regular class
25.09. Regular class
02.10. Regular class
09.10. Fall break – no class
16.10. Fall break – no class
23.10. Regular class
30.10. Regular class
06.11. Regular class
08.–09.11. Intensive rehearsal weekend with activities
13.11. Regular class
20.11. Regular class
27.11. Regular class
04.12. Regular class
06.12. Dress rehearsal (16:30) & Advent concert (18:00)
11.12. Reflection & closing

Spring Semester 2026

Weekly Classes:

Thursdays, 18:45–19:45

Location:

Yen Han Ballet Productions (Entrance A, 2nd floor)
Freihofstrasse 20, 8700 Küsnacht

The cost for the spring semester is CHF 870, which includes an intensive

rehearsal weekend, a final concert, and two complimentary tickets for parents.

Class Dates – Spring Semester 2026

15.01. Semester start – regular class
22.01. Regular class
29.01. Regular class
05.02. Regular class
12.02. Winter break – no class
19.02. Winter break – no class
26.02. Regular class
05.03. Regular class
12.03. Regular class
19.03. Regular class
26.03. Regular class
02.04. Easter – no class

09.04. Spring break – no class
16.04. Spring break – no class
23.04. Regular class
25.–26.04. Intensive rehearsal weekend with activities
30.04. Regular class
07.05. Ascension – no class
14.05. Regular class
21.05. Regular class
28.05. Regular class
06.06. Dress rehearsal (16:30) & concert (18:00)
11.06. Reflection & closing

Interested in trying out the Empyrean Academy? Then get in touch with Kevin — by phone or email. You’re warmly invited to attend the free trial session on August 28, 2025. We look forward to meeting you!