ABF Advanced Masterclass in Songwriting
at the ABF “Franco Corelli” Academy of Music in Camerino Wednesday, May 6 to Sunday, May 10, 2026
REGISTRATION OPEN FROM February 24 to April 10, 2026
1. PROGRAM
ABF Globalab is a program that integrates academic and professional guidance courses, united by a practical-experiential methodology and a strong vocational focus. Through workshops held by ABF trainers, the program aims to empower and guide young people by promoting:
- The emergence and enhancement of the knowledge, skills, and technical and transversal abilities already possessed by participants.
- The enhancement of transversal skills, such as leadership, problem solving, self-marketing, emotional and socio-relational skills.
- The development of new growth prospects and support for (re)placement in training and/or work.
- The overall empowerment of young people through self-narration, self-reflection, and the ability to project themselves into the future with awareness and confidence.
The program promotes a collaborative, cooperative approach based on the principle of “learning by doing” and on participants’ active involvement in both community life and the development of concrete projects. In this way, ABF Globalab represents a space where learning, creativity, and inclusion converge to foster the personal, professional, and community growth of young people through academic, vocational, and professional guidance activities that allow individual and collective talents to emerge and be valued.
Within the framework of the ABF Globalab program, ABF Higher Education projects are offered to musicians, opera singers, and performers of all nationalities aged 16 to 35. Each Masterclass welcomes talents selected on the basis of socioeconomic criteria and solid preparation in the specific musical repertoire. The program takes place at the ABF “Franco Corelli” Music Academy in Camerino, the third reconstruction project by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation in the crater area after the 2016 earthquake, a symbol of resilience and commitment to training artists, while contributing to the cultural and social rebirth of the local community.
2. PROJECT
The Advanced Masterclass in Songwriting offers an intensive training course for singer-songwriters, authors, and producers, led by artist Giovanni Caccamo and pianist and composer Alessio Nelli, with the participation of music producer Francesco Pisapia and the qualified ABF team. The program combines theory and practice, with a focus on music composition and the music business. Participants will explore creative writing as a means of personal expression and acquire fundamental transferable skills such as emotion management, effective communication, and self-marketing. The goal is to foster professional and personal growth, preparing young artists to inhabit the music scene. The ultimate goal of the project is to create an original song during a group session and record the demo in the studios of the ABF “Franco Corelli” Academy in Camerino.
3. OBJIECTIVES
- Connection with the job market: identifying the skills required in the music industry and facilitating dialogue between institutions and aspiring artists.
- Collaborative learning environment: promoting the sharing of experiences and improving the dynamics of trust between teachers and students.
- Personal and professional growth: offering practical and educational experiences that contribute to the development of artistic and entrepreneurial skills.
4. TIMELINE AND FORMAT OF THE MASTERCLASS
The Songwriting Masterclass will be held in a residential format in Camerino at the ABF “Franco Corelli” Music Academy, from Wednesday, May 6, to Sunday, May 10, 2026:
- Arrival: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
- Teaching activities (individual and group sessions): Thursday, May 7 to Saturday, May 9
- Departure: Sunday, May 10
The days will follow an integrated approach structured as follows:
- Listening sessions (live or via media) and constructive feedback to allow students to present their musical creations in a dedicated environment, receiving qualified feedback and enhancing their skills.
- Collective writing sessions to stimulate collaboration and synergy among participants, refining their compositional skills.
- Recording studio work sessions, to offer participants the opportunity to gain practical experience in the recording process, providing them with the skills necessary to work in the context of contemporary music production.
- The start of a path based on the acquisition of transversal skills through the enhancement of interpretative abilities in live performance and the strengthening of communication, social, and emotional skills (e.g., self-marketing, reading the context, managing stress and stage impact, emerging and strengthening creative thinking, effective communication and knowing how to express oneself, active listening, empathy, emotional intelligence).
Participation is mandatory throughout the initiative.
Accommodation for the entire week will be fully covered by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, which will provide meals and lodging for participants and cover travel expenses to and from the Masterclass venue within Italy.
5. TARGET AUDIENCE
The Masterclass will be held in Italian and is open to a maximum of 12 participants: 3 music producers and 9 authors – whether songwriters or composers – aged 18-35.
You can participate as an individual, NOT as a group.
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation reserves the right to reopen the submission deadline if the available resources are not fully allocated; to allocate additional funding to the call for applications; to close the call early; and to amend its timeline.
6. EVALUATION COMMITTEE
Applications will be reviewed and selected by the Artistic Director in collaboration with ABF’s expert staff.
The selection process will follow principles of impartiality, transparency, and merit, ensuring access to a broad and highly qualified pool of emerging talent. The Committee will carry out its evaluation in April 2026, and selected candidates will be notified directly using the contact details provided in their application.
7. HOW TO APPLY AND DEADLINE FORR APPLICATIONS
To participate in the call for applications, please submit:
- A letter of motivation
- Artistic CV
- Link to Spotify profile (if available)
- Photocopy of a valid ID
- Two videos documenting the performance of two songs of your own composition, meeting the following requirements:
- They may be unpublished and, therefore, the exclusive intellectual property of the candidate; alternatively, they may have been previously produced, h r marketed or published (including on social media channels).
- Each video must show the complete performance of each chosen song, with a maximum duration of 5 minutes (in the case of producers only, a recording of the song is sufficient, but must still be attached to the application)
- Each video must include a brief presentation of the candidate and the chosen song (self-tape format), specifying which category they belong to (singer-songwriter, author, or producer).
- Musical accompaniment: songs may be performed with musical accompaniment (backing track) or a cappella (without backing track). The choice of accompaniment is at the discretion of the candidate, provided that the performance is clear and well interpreted.
- Technical quality: videos must be recorded in high quality, with good visibility and audio clarity. It is advisable to avoid videos recorded in noisy or poorly lit environments.
- Videos may be attached either as files or as private viewing links.
The application (containing the above components) must be sent to the email address abfmasterclass@andreabocellifoundation.org with the following subject line:
Songwriting Application – ABF Masterclass 2026 Edition”
PLEASE NOTE: applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, 10 April 2026. Any submissions received after this deadline will not be considered.
8. INFORMATION AND CLARIFICATIONS
Any requests for information and clarifications regarding this call for applications should be sent to the following email address:abfmasterclass@andreabocellifoundation.org
9. DATA PROCESSING
Pursuant to Article 13 of Legislative Decree No. 196/2003 and Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), the personal data collected by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation will be processed for the purposes related to this procedure and used exclusively for such purposes, in compliance with applicable legislation. The provision of personal data is mandatory; failure to provide it will make it impossible to proceed with the evaluation and any subsequent actions. Any processing for additional or different purposes will be subject to the data subject’s specific consent.
The data will be stored and processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security and confidentiality, through suitable technical and organisational measures designed to minimise the risks of destruction or loss, including accidental loss, unauthorised access, or processing that is unlawful or inconsistent with the purposes for which the data were collected.
Dr. Laura Biancalani, ABF CEO
Singer-songwriter discovered by Franco Battiato.
Several times protagonist at the Sanremo Festival, in the big category, in 2016 and 2018. Winner in the New Proposals category, Mia Martini Critics’ Award, Lucio Dalla Press Room Award, E. Luzzati Award in 2015.
He has collaborated with Willem Dafoe, Andrea Bocelli, Patti Smith, Lang Lang, Antony and the Johnsons, Franco Battiato, Elisa, Patty Pravo, Liliana Segre, Michele Placido, Carmen Consoli, Malika Ayane, Matteo Bocelli, Emma, Elodie, Francesca Michielin and many other Italian and international artists.
In September 2015, he lent his voice to the Disney Pixar short film Lava, which preceded the film Inside Out, in a duet with singer Malika Ayane.
In 2016, he hosted the Radio2 programme Nessuno mi può giudicare with Caterina Caselli. On 10 November 2016, Dialogo con mia madre, Giovanni’s first epistolary novel, was published by Rizzoli.
On 14 January 2017, he was appointed UNESCO Youth Ambassador.
On 9 February 2018, after participating in the 68th edition of the Sanremo Festival with the song Eterno and the success of Puoi fidarti di me, the main theme song of the soundtrack of Alessandro Genovesi’s film Puoi baciare lo sposo, his third album was released. To date, the single Eterno has exceeded 10 million views and 5 million streams.
On 6 October 2018, he sang for Pope Francis during the Synod of Youth.
On 26 April, he represented Italy at the Pathway to Paris: Earth Day 50 Festival, alongside Michael Stipe, Patti Smith, Johnny Depp, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ben Harper and others. The concert, organised by Jesse Paris Smith and Rebecca Foon, celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
On 17 September 2021, he released Parola, his fourth album of new songs, featuring special guest appearances by Willem Dafoe, Aleida Guevara, Patti Smith, Liliana Segre, Michele Placi-do, Beppe Fiorello and a recording by Camilleri. The album won third place at the Tenco Prize.
On 21 December 2022, he was the author of l’Agorà del cambiamento (The Agora of Change), an artistic performance inside the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican Museums, under Raphael’s famous painting The School of Athens, in which fifteen young people, representing the thousands of participants in the Parola ai giovani (Word to Young People) project, shared their vision of the future. The photographic reportage of the performance was curated by Marco Anelli, Marina Abramovic’s long-time photographer. Since 2023, he has been the artistic director of the cultural programme of the Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation.
On 12 May 2023, he published the Manifesto del cambiamento (Manifesto of Change), published by Treccani, with an extraordinary preface by Pope Francis, a volume in which sixty young people sketch out an evolving future.
It includes twelve unpublished works by Arnaldo Pomodoro, Emilio Isgrò, Fabrizio Plessi, Ferdinando Scianna, Francesca Cataldi, Giulia Napoleone, Guido Strazza, Mario Ceroli, Maurizio Cattelan, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Mimmo Jodice e Mimmo Paladino.
Alessio Nelli is an Italian pianist, keyboardist and composer.
He graduated in piano from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in 2010 and subsequently attended a two-year course in accompaniment at the Giulio Briccialdi Conservatory in Terni. From 2011 to 2012, he studied at Mogol’s C.E.T., a school for songwriters, composers and performers, where he worked as a tutor and teaching assistant from 2013 to 2019. From 2014 to 2018, he worked alongside Maestro Sesto Quatrini in opera productions in Italy and France in the following titles: “La traviata”, “Rigoletto” and “L’elisir d’amore”.
He worked at the Festival della Valle D’Itria as accompanist and assistant to Maestro Giuseppe Grazioli in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia”.
He has performed in numerous concerts in Italy and abroad (France, Germany, Finland, USA, Israel, Australia, UK, Spain, Belgium, etc.).
He has toured with Giovanni Caccamo, Angelina Mango and others. He is a member of the Cecilia Guzman Sanchez TRIO.
“Down Under” is the title of his first EP, released on all digital platforms and distributed by Ada Music Italy.
He is one of the artistic directors of the ‘Voices of’ project for the Andrea Bocelli Foundation. He lives in Milan and works as a session musician in various recording studios (Il volo, Marco Mengoni, Gianni Morandi, Clara, Francesca Michielin, Angelina Mango, Tiromancino, Patty Pravo, Matteo Bocelli and others).
His songs have been streamed millions of times on various platforms and he holds FIMI platinum certification for the single ‘Il cielo contromano’. He has written for Eros Ramazzotti, Tiromancino, Enula, Deddy, Strangis and others. He teaches piano and offers masterclasses and training seminars on songwriting throughout Italy.
Francesco Mattia Pisapia is a songwriter, producer and sound engineer.
Born and raised in the province of Salerno, he approached the world of production by starting to produce the songs he wrote for the band Costiera, of which he is the singer and frontman.
His experience with Costiera led him to play all over Italy, performing on numerous club and festival stages between 2018 and 2019. In 2017, he took part in a songwriting camp organised by Sony and Medimex, where he discovered the world of songwriting and forged collaborations that led him to move to Milan in 2021 to work on a permanent basis with Michele Canova in his studio, where he will be involved in songwriting and production.
That year, he wrote and produced the single “Muro” by the winner of Amici 21, Luigi Strangis, which went on to be certified Gold. Since 2022, he has been working independently with major and independent labels as a songwriter, producer and finaliser of tracks (mixing and mastering), with around a hundred releases to his credit.
Since 2025, he has been an exclusive songwriter for PeerMusic ITALY.
She sat down at the piano for the first time at the age of four, and by the age of eleven she was already performing on stage with a symphony orchestra. In a career spanning more than thirty years, she has performed on every continent, in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, Cadogan Hall in London, Kioi Hall in Tokyo and the Arena di Verona, as well as travelling to remote and unusual places around the world to bring music beyond borders – from the experimental city of Auroville in India to Easter Island, the Rocinha Favela in Rio de Janeiro and the townships of Cape Town in South Africa – without ever losing sight of her social commitment.
Born in Veneto in 1986, Gloria Campaner is considered one of the most versatile and eclectic pianists of her generation, experimenting with new languages and interactions between classical music and other art forms: fusions with jazz (she has collaborated with Stefano Bollani, Leszek Mozdzer and Franco D’Andrea), electronic music (Alioscia Bisceglia of Casino Royale, Boosta of Subsonica), contemporary dance and even sculpture (she has played the “sound stones” of and with Pinuccio Sciola) and literature (the project dedicated to Beethoven with Alessandro Baricco and the Canova Chamber Orchestra staged at the Arena di Verona and the Teatro Comunale di Ferrara and streamed to all schools in Italy). He has recorded for EMI, Warner Classics and Sony Music.
Recently, however, in the midst of a globetrotting career, he decided to suspend his concert activities indefinitely. Not to stop, but to explore new languages and a new way of “serving music”. Or rather, musicians. This led to the creation of the “C# See Sharp” project, which trains young talents to look inside themselves and “look beyond”, to overcome their fears, express their creativity and focus their emotions. Now Gloria has an additional skill to offer, that of performing coach. “I experienced anxiety and vertigo before going on stage, I didn’t know who to ask for help. We have to deal with managing emotions in classical music too”. The training is designed for artistic talents, but is good for anyone who has to face any kind of public performance. So much so that she regularly holds seminars and masterclasses all over the world.
Always with a view to acquiring new skills and experiences related to the world of entertainment, Gloria Campaner is taking an interest in opera directing, stage management and musical theatre in general. Already artistic director of the MAP Festival in Taranto, the Bellini Association in Messina and the Friuli festival “Nei Suoni dei luoghi”, in 2024, together with Nicola Campogrande, she created “Seven Springs – Il suono della Holden”, the first musical adventure of the Holden School in Turin.
