Founded in 2018 by Academy alumna Amy Yuan, the New Talent Festival brings together young musicians from across the world to participate in one-to-one masterclasses, interactive workshops, concerts and competitions. Over the past seven years, more than 1400 young musicians from 36 countries have taken part.
For its eighth edition this year, the Festival welcomed 157 young musicians from the UK, Australia, Slovenia, Germany, Turkey, Vietnam, China, UAE, Mongolia and Ireland. Over the two days, participants took part in a range of interactive workshops and one-to-one masterclasses, led by Head of Junior Academy John Hutchins and Professor of Cello Jo Cole. The final round of the New Talent Festival Competition, along with the ceremony and gala concert, was held in the Duke's Hall.
The competition consisted of several prizes in a range of instrument categories and age groups, and the jury included Academy staff members John Hutchins, Jo Cole, Fraser Gordon and Nicola Eimer. The Royal Academy of Music Prize, which includes an invitation to study at Junior Academy without audition, was awarded to nine-year-old pianist Yves Gao. We are pleased that Yves has already enrolled onto the programme.
The New Talent Festival is grateful for the cash prizes sponsored by the Bianco-Voltolina Family and the Cordes-Harper Family. To find out more about the Festival, visit their website.