Stephen McHolm

Since 2017, Stephen McHolm has served as Director of the Verbier Festival Academy, established as one of the Festival’s core pillars at its founding. Bringing exceptional young soloists, chamber ensembles, singers and audio recording engineers together with leading artists, teachers and industry professionals from around the world, the Academy offers an environment in which they can refine their craft and develop as artists. Under McHolm’s leadership, the Academy has broadened its approach to artist development, complementing intensive artistic training with opportunities for young musicians to develop the skills, ideas and experience needed to shape their own careers. As the Festival’s Director of Cultural Development, McHolm conceived UNLTD (Unlimited Music) in 2018, which has become a creative laboratory where Academy artists can develop projects, experiment across disciplines and explore new ways of creating, collaborating and engaging with audiences. He also oversees its sister initiative, VF KiDS. Prior to joining the Verbier Festival, McHolm spent 12 years as President and Artistic Director of the Honens International Piano Competition Foundation, helping establish Honens as one of Canada’s most respected international classical music organisations, dedicated to discovering, supporting and promoting outstanding young concert artists.