Enrolments are still open, on a rolling basis, for the Global master in performing arts management, the Academy's programme realised in partnership with POLIMI-Graduate School of Management and in collaboration with the Piccolo Teatro di Milano.
For the Hall of Fame, we met with alumna Estefanía Montes (Spain), who told us how she experienced the programme and what doors it opened for her.
Estefanía, how did you find out about the Academy and why did you decide to enroll in the Master in Performing Arts Management?
I was already familiar with the Accademia Teatro alla Scala as an institution from my years of study at the Conservatory. After completing my studies in violin and piano, I began researching master's programs related to performing arts management, and compared several options. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to pursue this kind of program abroad - to broaden my horizons and enrich my education from a more global perspective. After comparing different possibilities, I chose the Accademia for the strength of its academic offer, its prestige, and its deep historical legacy. The program provides a comprehensive view of the performing arts sector and delves into all the key elements necessary for its development, support and sustainability. It also features an impressive roster of professors and industry professionals, which gives the course a highly practical and up-to-date character.
As a trained musician - and by nature, a curious and restless mind - I realized that, despite having a strong artistic background, I lacked the understanding of the structures that support, shape, and preserve this invaluable cultural legacy. That was the knowledge I was seeking.
Was the course intense? In your opinion, what is the strong point and the weak point of the program?
The course was definitely intense. We had long days filled with classes, receiving a large amount of information from top-level professors and professionals. Teamwork was constant, and at times even more demanding than individual study. There were challenging days when it was hard to stay focused.
Initially, I saw this intensity as a weakness - I felt I did not have enough time to properly absorb and internalize everything. However, over time, and especially once I entered the professional world, I realized that all that information, the teamwork, the shared reflections, and exchanges with the faculty, gradually found their place in my thinking.
The programm not only provided me with valuable theoretical and practical knowledge, but also shaped me on a human and professional level through the experience of working closely with my peers. What I once perceived as a challenge, has now become one of my greatest strengths.
It is often said that "Nothing you study at university is useful in real life", but I can confidently say this program proved the opposite: it gives you structure and long term clarity to navigate the cultural sector.
How was the mood inside the class? Do you think that you can build longlife friends and colleagues during an experience like this one?
My class was incredibly diverse - from students with musical and artistic backgrounds like mine, to others who had studied law, philosophy, or economics. Bringing together such varied profiles around a shared goal made the experience even more enriching. Without a doubt, I have made lifelong friends. After finishing the program, we ended up spread across the world, but that is precisely one of the great values of an international master like this: it creates a global network of strong-minded professionals committed to the cultural sector. We are the future of the cultural sector, and I am sure I will cross paths with many of them again - in fact, I already have - and those encounters are always rewarding and inspiring.
Where did you do your internship? Would you like to tell us how it went?
I did my first internship at Oper Leipzig in Germany, where I had the chance to experience the dynamics of a German opera house and explore every corner of life behind the scenes. I had long seen the German-speaking market as a professional goal, which is why I began learning German beforehand. That preparation helped me adapt more quickly and grow further within the country. Later, I moved to Berlin to continue with an internship and traineeship at Karsten Witt Musik Management. I arrived in the great capital city where classical music never sleeps - it is everywhere, every day! This experience gave me a completely different perspective on the cultural world. I witnessed the immense amount of work and dedication required to support artists in an increasingly competitive environment, where financial conditions are also evolving. Thanks to both internships I was able to see both sides of the industry, and provided me with very different insights into arts management. This also helped me clarify the path I wanted to pursue professionally, and they also made me realize how much there still is to learn...and there truly is a lot!
And after the academy? Where do you work now?
I am currently working as an Artist and Project Manager at Karsten Witt Musik Management in Berlin. Throughout my time here, I have gained experience in various areas of management, including working with composers and contemporary music. However, my primary focus is now on supporting conductors and instrumentalists, working closely with Senior Managers to foster the global development of our artists, while also taking responsibility for the growth of our Spanish/Italian - speaking region. In addition, I oversee and coordinate the various projects of my selected artists, ensuring their smooth execution and alignment with the artists' long-term goals.
Looking back, how much has this experience in Milan and abroad with the Master changed your life?
Choosing to move abroad to pursue the Master in Performing Arts Management in Milan - and later, completing my internships in Germany - has had a profound impact on my life, both personally and professionally. I have always possessed an inquisitive nature, driven by a desire to broaden my horizons, and I knew from the start that my calling was not only as a musician, but also as a cultural manager.
Being part of such a vibrant and dynamic field has given me a deep sense of purpose. I now feel a strong, almost unspoken connection with others in the industry. There is a unique energy that arises from collaborating with like-minded individuals, all equally passionate about preserving , supporting, and evolving the cultural landscape.
Enrolling in the Master in Performing Arts Management at Accademia Teatro alla Scala was a decision I will never regret. The Academy has shaped me in ways I could have never anticipated, leaving a lasting imprint on my identity. Studying there was far more than an academic experience - it was a transformative journey that fundamentally reshaped my understanding of the cultural sector.
The program opened the doors to countless opportunities and connections, and I now feel a profound responsibility to contribute to the future of the arts. I am deeply grateful for the privilege of studying at such an inspiring and prestigious institution, and I carry its teachings and values with me in everything I do. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my beloved parents, who have stood by me every step of the way.
Performing arts management
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