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.
This year, the festival welcomed 122 young musicians from the UK, USA, China, Romania, France, Thailand, Mongolia and Singapore.
As part of the New Talent Festival Competition, held in the Duke's Hall, several prizes were awarded to the young musicians who took part. The Royal Academy of Music Prize was won by 12-year-old violinist Zarema Sitshayeva (pictured with John Hutchins, Head of Junior Academy) who received £1000 prize money, a one-to-one masterclass and admission into Junior Royal Academy of Music without audition. The competition jury consisted of Academy staff members Professor Jo Cole, Fraser Gordon, John Hutchins and Nicola Eimer.
The New Talent Festival is grateful to the Bianco-Voltolina Family, Cordes-Harper Family, J & A Beare and other private donors for their generous donation to the cash prizes. To find out more, visit the New Talent Festival website.