Vasko Dimitrov at the Erasmus+ BIP in Sicily – Songwriting Across Borders

As part of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) "BETWEEN Songwriting Camp – 2nd Edition," our student Vasko Dimitrov participated in an inspiring international songwriting project hosted by our partner institution, Saint Louis College of Music (Rome, Italy). The intensive programme took place in Piazza Armerina, Sicily, from 29 June to 5 July 2026, bringing together students and lecturers from several European higher music education institutions.

The programme was coordinated by Saint Louis College of Music and welcomed participants from JAM MUSIC LAB Private University, the Gulda School of Music, and other European partner institutions, including Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Helsinki, Finland), and Taller de Músics (Barcelona, Spain).

Students worked in international songwriting teams under the guidance of Saint Louis professors and tutors, including Roberto Giglio and Fabio Balestrieri.

“The opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from all over Europe was particularly valuable. Exchanging ideas with young musicians from different countries opened up new perspectives, working methods, and creative impulses for me.”
— Vasko Dimitrov

For Vasko, the BIP was much more than an academic project. Working closely with musicians from different cultural and artistic backgrounds fostered not only his creativity but also his intercultural understanding and personal and professional development. He especially appreciated the opportunity to build new friendships and establish contacts for future artistic collaborations.

Although the intensive programme occasionally presented challenges in terms of time management and coordination, Vasko regarded these experiences as an essential part of the learning process:

“I learned a great deal about how I work under time pressure, how I communicate, and how I find my way in dynamic situations. I will take these insights with me as an important step in my personal development.”
— Vasko Dimitrov

The technical facilities provided everything needed for the collaborative songwriting projects, while the Erasmus+ grant successfully covered the majority of the participation costs.

A particular highlight was the final concert, where all international teams performed the original songs they had created during the week. The concert showcased not only the participants' musical talent but also the strong collaborative spirit that had developed throughout the project.

Looking back on the experience, Vasko describes the programme as:

“An outstanding experience—artistically inspiring, personally enriching, and excellent for international networking. I would recommend participating without hesitation.”
— Vasko Dimitrov

We are delighted that our students continue to benefit from international collaborations such as this Erasmus+ BIP and sincerely thank our partner Saint Louis College of Music, Rome, for hosting this unique creative experience in Sicily.