String soloists and ensembles dominate YCAT’s new intake of exceptional young artists
Read more news articles here
The Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) has added six new rising stars – a group dominated by string soloists and ensembles – to its roster of young talent. Following a rigorous international selection process that culminated in a day of public live auditions on 2 June at London’s Wigmore Hall, the musicians chosen for 2023’s intake are violinists Hana Chang (US) and Charlotte Spruit (The Netherlands), British double bassist Will Duerden, Lithuanian–American pianist Ignas Maknickas, and ensembles Trio Chagall (Italy) and the Swiss-based Atenea Quartet.
Founded in 1984, YCAT is a charity that works to support the early careers of talented musicians, offering selected artists a bespoke package of management, career development and prestigious performance opportunities over a three- to five-year period.
In addition, the young American cellist Sterling Elliott was announced as the latest YCAT–Music Masters Robey Artist, further cementing YCAT’s collaboration with Music Masters, the UK-based music education charity that provides teaching, mentoring, financial support and performance opportunities to musicians between the ages of 4 and 25, and champions under-represented voices in the industry.
YCAT’s chief executive and artistic director, cellist Alasdair Tait, said: ‘At a time when opportunities for our most creative and inspiring young talent are becoming ever more precious and limited, YCAT’s mission to deliver these vital career-building opportunities has never felt more important. I’m delighted and excited to be welcoming these new artists to the YCAT family and can’t wait to begin our journey together.’
Tait headed a jury of distinguished industry leaders that included Angela Dixon, chief executive of Saffron Hall; Stephen McHolm, director of the Verbier Academy; Roger Wright, chief executive of Britten Pears Arts; Tanya Bannister, president of Concert Artists Guild, New York; and Rachel van Walsum, director and co-founder of Maestro Arts.
Current and past YCAT artists include violinists Irène Duval and Randall Goosby, violists Jordan Bak and Timothy Ridout, cellist Maciej Kułakowski, and the Agate and Adelphi quartets.
Read: Orpheus Sinfonia launches new professional development programme for recent music graduates
Read: The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center reveals new Bowers Program artists
Read: Double bassist and string quartet among 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipients
Read more news stories here
The number one source for playing and teaching books, guides, CDs, calendars and back issues of the magazine.
In The Best of Technique you’ll discover the top playing tips of the world’s leading string players and teachers. It’s packed full of exercises for students, plus examples from the standard repertoire to show you how to integrate the technique into your playing.
The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written. Always one of our most popular sections, Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists, chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s.
This year’s calendar celebrates the top instruments played by members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony, Australian String Quartet and some of the country’s greatest soloists.
No comments yet