Founding member, the late Barbara Krakauer

The roots of this program go back to 1977 when Barbara Krakauer was invited by her friend, NY Philharmonic violinist Léon Temerson, to teach in a "stage d'été" organized by Professor Aurélia Spadaro of the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud in Aix-en-Provence. Mme. Spadaro was guided by former teacher and friend, Zino Francescatti in the organization and running of this program. His advice: "Anyone wanting to devote 3 weeks of their summer to working at improving themselves musically, at whatever level and age, should have the opportunity to have first-rate serious teaching and the chance to practice without distractions, in an agreeable environment."

This remained a guiding principle through the years Barbara and Aurélia worked together. When Aurélia gave up her "stage", Barbara and her husband Dr. William Krakauer, assisted by Barbara's long time pianist partner Jeaneane Dowis, organized their own program in 1996 at the Centre A Coeur Joie in Vaison-la-Romaine. Zino Francescatti's wise counsel has remained basic to our approach in The Académie Musicale Internationale "Barbara Krakauer": serious, intensive teaching available to all who desire it.

Before Barbara's death in April 2001, she called upon friend and former pupil, violinist Marie Martinie-Myron for help. Jeaneane Dowis, had handed the baton to former students as well: pianist Marilyn Engle joined us in 2001. Marie Martinie-Myron's friend, cellist Odile Bourin, joined soon after. The warm friendship and musical sympathy that exists between them and the other teaching faculty of the Académie not only has ensured the continuity of the original vision of the "stage" but also holds great promise for a flourishing future.