The Latvian Academy of Music
As a classical music student, I was really excited when I found out Riga was one of the only city’s in the Baltics area that had a music academy. While I totally recognize and appreciate pop music in all it’s glory (EDM jams all the way), there’s something about a city having a music conservatory that makes me respect the community a little more. I feel like the fact that a city would support and uphold the arts in such a way that they have a working school of music just shows how the people of a city value natural beauty, even if it’s not all that profitable. Classical music in many ways for me encapsulates the human experience, both for musicians and the audiences, that I think subtly elevates society in a very important way.
And in terms of facilities, 
the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music is one of the most elegant music buildings I’ve ever seen. Honestly you might pass it on the street just because it fits in so well with the rest of the downtown
architecture. Comprised of five floors, with multiple large performance halls on the first two floors and rehearsal spaces occupying the remaining floors, you can easily get lost in it. Probably
the best part? Almost the entire building is the same as when it was originally built, with small modern additions to give it a classy but still modern feel. On the third floor in the practice rooms, you can see the original roof supports above the new practice room additions put in in the early 2000’s, and the sweeping grand foyer has a powerful feel of 19th century sophistication.
While currently on break for the summer, regular orchestra and chamber concerts are presented during the fall-winter school year. For any classical music fans such as myself, or for classical music players, this is the place to meet Latvian student musicians, the place with fantastic venues to hear live classical music, and even the place if you need to play the piano for yourself sometime. Definitely check it out.
Some short details: Student concerts are free, rental practice rooms start at 2 Euros for two hours, and the building is open from 10AM-8PM, M-F.
Mark Kennedy, currently studying Russian at Liden & Denz Riga
