The festival was founded by Ilana Vered and Peter Hermes in 2006 in Monte Castello di Vibio, Italy hosting 8 students in its first year.

In 2007 the festival moved to the city of Perugia and has since grown, currently hosting more than 200 students, 50 professors and multiple orchestras.

[1][2] It is currently under the management of artistic director Ilana Vered and her former student, Sasha Starcevich, an internationally-renowned piano teacher, who serves as co-director.

The festival attracts advanced-level young classical musicians from all over the world, who get the opportunity to perform concerti with orchestra as well as participate in lessons and master classes and perform in marathon recitals and in chamber music events.

The concerts take place in halls such as Basilica di San Pietro, Sala dei Notari, Teatro Pavone, most of them famous for their extraordinary acoustics.