Exchange programme with the Instituto Superior de Arte in Cuba

In February 2025, the University of Music and Theatre Munich (HMTM) and the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) in Havana, Cuba, signed a memorandum of understanding. The aim of this agreement between the universities is to strengthen and promote ways of cooperation and exchange between the universities. Prof. h.c. Martin Zenker was responsible for preparing the memorandum. The document was signed by the president of the University of Music and Theatre Munich, Prof. Lydia Grün, and the director of ISA, Rolando Valentín Ortega Álvarez.

The first successes of the collaboration have already been achieved: our student Jakob Marsmann (Jazz Percussion with Prof. Christian Lettner) will be at ISA in February and March 2025. He will receive lessons in drums, percussion and traditional music. As part of the memorandum of understanding, he will be exempt from tuition fees.

The German Embassy in Havana welcomes the signing and sees it as an «opportunity to combine and enrich the unique strengths and traditions of the Cuban and German music and theatre scenes».

For the University of Music and Theatre Munich, the connection to Cuba is of great value, especially for jazz students. Jazz training in particular thrives on international networking. In this context, the Jazz Institute is already working closely with the Berklee College of Music in the USA, the State Conservatory of Mongolia and the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.