Young Artist Programme

Applications have now CLOSED for our 2024 Young Artist Programme

Now in its fifth year, our Young Artist Programme is committed to nurturing the artistic and professional development of promising, early-career song duos through a range of first-rate coaching opportunities, professional performance platforms, and career workshops.

We are delighted to announce that our 2024 Programme will include:

  • Masterclasses with Roderick Williams OBE and Roy Howat

  • Professional Performance Platforms in our recital series of international standard

  • Community Performance Platforms, guided by coaching from song specialists, Sholto Kynoch and Jocelyn Freeman

  • Professional Development Talks on from leading industry specialists, including opportunities for career coaching, Q&A, and networking

Successful applicants will be notified in early March.

For full information about opportunities, to see who can apply, and how to apply, see below. Please ensure you have read all the information below before you apply. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the application process, please get in touch (songeasel@gmail.com) and we will be happy to support you.

What opportunities are available, and when?

Masterclass with Roderick Williams OBE (baritone) - Thursday 21st March 2024

We are delighted to launch our 2024 Young Artist Programme with a masterclass from internationally renowned baritone, Roderick Williams OBE, who will coach selected participants in song duo performance.

Masterclass with Roy Howat (pianist) - Sunday 28th April 2024

Leading Fauré expert, Roy Howat guides selected participants through the art of performing the music of our Gabriel Fauré ahead of their performance of his Mélodies on 12th May.

Who is eligible to apply?

Participation in each element is open to duos of all ages, but preference will be given to current students and recent graduates, for whom this opportunity can have the greatest impact.

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission, as we seek to represent the diverse South East London community in which we operate. As such, we encourage Young Artists from all backgrounds to apply. If you have any questions concerns or concerns regarding accessibility, please get in touch.

Young Artists selected for the masterclass may perform in more than one duo.

Previous participants of the Young Artist Programme are welcome to reapply.

Professional Performance Platform: Fauré Mélodies - Sunday 12th May 2024

Following masterclass coaching from Fauré specialist, Roy Howat, selected participants will perform alongside a selection of Gwilym Bowen (tenor), Lucy Gibbs (mezzo), Jared Andrew Michaud (bass-baritone), Christina Koti (piano) and Jocelyn Freeman (piano) a complete, historic performance of Fauré’s Mèlodies in celebration of the composer’s centenary weekend.

Community Performance Platforms - [various dates available]

Selected participants will receive coaching from acclaimed song specialists, Sholto Kynoch and Jocelyn Freeman to prepare and present a recital for elderly residents in the Lewisham community, as part of our ongoing collaboration with Ageing Well Lewisham. Each CPP carries an inclusive fee to cover expenses of £85 per Young Artist.

Professional Development Talks - [dates TBD]

A brand-new addition for 2024, our ‘Career Development’ miniseries presents talks from leading industry specialists in various career skills such as taxation, CV preparation, and self-promotion, providing opportunities for Careers Q&A and networking. Our Programme’s mission - to help early career professionals to establish and maintain careers at the elite level of music performance - means we value your professional development just as much as your artistic development.

What do I need in order to apply?

  1. 1/2 videos of your duo performance, recorded within the last year.

    N.B. If you are applying for the Fauré Melodies performance platform, at least one submission must include a Fauré song.

  2. A written reference from somebody who has knowledge of your work

  3. For Fauré Melodies performance platform, a current repertoire list

  4. For each Masterclass, two repertoire choices

  5. For the Community Performance Platforms: your availability on certain dates; a short video introducing your duo and explaining, in brief, what you hope to gain from the SongEasel YAP; and a provisional 45 minute programme.

“It was really liberating to perform at the Ageing Well meeting after years of the music college environment... This is what music is all about.”

— (SongEasel Young Artist, 2021) 

“A fantastic opportunity to join a supportive community of musicians […] to explore new repertoire and make new connections”

— (SongEasel Young Artist, 2022)

“Absolutely go for it, and make the most of it. The skills and lessons you’ll learn from working with top-tier professionals […] are invaluable”

— (SongEasel Young Artist, 2021)

Building on the success of our Young Artists Programme launch in 2021, we continue to expand our Young Artists programmes year-by-year to offer a wider range of opportunities for young song duos.

Recent opportunities for SongEasel Young Artists have included:

  • Masterclasses with Laurent Naouri (2022), Ailish Tynan (2022), & Keval Shah (2023)

  • Performance platform at Blackheath Halls, mentored by Jocelyn Freeman (2023)

  • Engagement opportunities with Lewisham’s elderly residents in partnership with Ageing Well Lewisham, curated by Libby Burgess, Sholto Kynoch and Jocelyn Freeman (2023)

  • Several Young Artists gave song recital performances in the Oxford Proms 2022.

Our 2021 Young Artists Programme Launch at the 1901 Arts Club in Waterloo with Dr Emily Kilpatrick

We are grateful to the following Trusts and Foundation for their generous support of our 2024 Young Artist Programme: