Our Story so far…
Our Ethos
New Talent Festival is a celebration of the joy of music. Hundreds of young people from all over the world come together to showcase their talents, buddy up with other young musicians, and get inspired by some of the world’s top music teachers. There are one-to-one masterclasses, workshops, lectures, forums, and of course, the competition.
Over the past 8 years, we have welcomed more than 1600 young musicians from 37 countries. With an unprecedented level of official partnerships, the Festival is a platform for young musicians to showcase, explore, exchange, and inspire. We are proud to help young musicians build on their skills, confidence, and vision to achieve short-term and long-term goals and success.
New Talent Festival aims to build a friendly, supportive, and inspiring international community where the music is louder and dreams closer.
New Talent Festival is a celebration of the joy of music. Hundreds of young people from all over the world come together to showcase their talents, buddy up with other young musicians, and get inspired by some of the world’s top music teachers. There are one-to-one masterclasses, workshops, lectures, forums, and of course, the competition.
Over the past 8 years, we have welcomed more than 1600 young musicians from 37 countries. With an unprecedented level of official partnerships, the Festival is a platform for young musicians to showcase, explore, exchange, and inspire. We are proud to help young musicians build on their skills, confidence, and vision to achieve short-term and long-term goals and success.
New Talent Festival aims to build a friendly, supportive, and inspiring international community where the music is louder and dreams closer.
New Talent Festival is a celebration of the joy of music. Hundreds of young people from all over the world come together to showcase their talents, buddy up with other young musicians, and get inspired by some of the world’s top music teachers. There are one-to-one masterclasses, workshops, lectures, forums, and of course, the competition.
Over the past 8 years, we have welcomed more than 1600 young musicians from 37 countries. With an unprecedented level of official partnerships, the Festival is a platform for young musicians to showcase, explore, exchange, and inspire. We are proud to help young musicians build on their skills, confidence, and vision to achieve short-term and long-term goals and success.
New Talent Festival aims to build a friendly, supportive, and inspiring international community where the music is louder and dreams closer.
Our Faculty, Jurors and Advisors
Our Faculty, Jurors and Advisors
Our Faculty, Jurors and Advisors
We are grateful to be able to count on the expertise, experiences and passion of our stellar line up of faculty, jurors and advisors, made up of heads of departments, professors and directors of music at UK’s top music colleges and schools.
To see our people list, please visit the New Talent Festival website here.
We are grateful to be able to count on the expertise, experiences and passion of our stellar line up of faculty, jurors and advisors, made up of heads of departments, professors and directors of music at UK’s top music colleges and schools.
To see our people list, please visit the New Talent Festival website here.
We are grateful to be able to count on the expertise, experiences and passion of our stellar line up of faculty, jurors and advisors, made up of heads of departments, professors and directors of music at UK’s top music colleges and schools.
To see our people list, please visit the New Talent Festival website here.
Our Founder’s Message
I fell in love with music when I started playing the violin at just 4 years old. With the support of family and some wonderful teachers (and a lot of hard work), I won the Young Beijing Violinist Competition at the age of 12. Since then, my musical journey has taken me from leader of the Beijing Youth Chamber Orchestra to studying at Millfield School and the Royal Academy of Music (both on full scholarships). I was chosen as the first Chinese leader of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, and have had the joy of performing with the London Chamber Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and many other great ensembles. I’ve also been lucky enough to play under the batons of some of the world’s most esteemed conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle and Sir Colin Davis.
As a little girl of 4, I never dreamt this would be possible, and it can’t have happened without the support of my teachers and other young musicians. That’s why, in 2018, I launched New Talent Festival to help young musicians all over the world develop their talents and grow in confidence. With the support of our Official Partners, the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Purcell School, the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana, the New Talent Festival 2026 is going to be the best one yet!
I can’t wait to see (and hear) you there.
Amy Yuan, Director – Amy Yuan Academy
I fell in love with music when I started playing the violin at just 4 years old. With the support of family and some wonderful teachers (and a lot of hard work), I won the Young Beijing Violinist Competition at the age of 12. Since then, my musical journey has taken me from leader of the Beijing Youth Chamber Orchestra to studying at Millfield School and the Royal Academy of Music (both on full scholarships). I was chosen as the first Chinese leader of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, and have had the joy of performing with the London Chamber Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and many other great ensembles. I’ve also been lucky enough to play under the batons of some of the world’s most esteemed conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle and Sir Colin Davis.
As a little girl of 4, I never dreamt this would be possible, and it can’t have happened without the support of my teachers and other young musicians. That’s why, in 2018, I launched New Talent Festival to help young musicians all over the world develop their talents and grow in confidence. With the support of our Official Partners, the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Purcell School, the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana, the New Talent Festival 2026 is going to be the best one yet!
I can’t wait to see (and hear) you there.
Amy Yuan, Director – Amy Yuan Academy
I fell in love with music when I started playing the violin at just 4 years old. With the support of family and some wonderful teachers (and a lot of hard work), I won the Young Beijing Violinist Competition at the age of 12. Since then, my musical journey has taken me from leader of the Beijing Youth Chamber Orchestra to studying at Millfield School and the Royal Academy of Music (both on full scholarships). I was chosen as the first Chinese leader of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, and have had the joy of performing with the London Chamber Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and many other great ensembles. I’ve also been lucky enough to play under the batons of some of the world’s most esteemed conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle and Sir Colin Davis.
As a little girl of 4, I never dreamt this would be possible, and it can’t have happened without the support of my teachers and other young musicians. That’s why, in 2018, I launched New Talent Festival to help young musicians all over the world develop their talents and grow in confidence. With the support of our Official Partners, the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Purcell School, the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana, the New Talent Festival 2026 is going to be the best one yet!
I can’t wait to see (and hear) you there.
Amy Yuan, Director – Amy Yuan Academy
Our Official Partner:
Our Official Partner:
Our Official Partner:
International Competition
International Competition
International Competition
The New Talent Festival is AY Academy’s flagship annual event and the Festival’s competition is a great way to exercise your musical muscles and learn from some of the world’s best teachers and professional musicians.
The competition is open to solo performances and chamber ensembles from anyone aged 4 to 18 years old.
As the saying goes, ‘you’ve got to be in it to win it’. But everyone who takes part is a winner as far as we’re concerned. Wherever you finish in the competition, you’ll receive feedback from our jury panel and a certificate to show you were part of one of the world’s best youth music festivals.
The New Talent Festival is AY Academy’s flagship annual event and the Festival’s competition is a great way to exercise your musical muscles and learn from some of the world’s best teachers and professional musicians.
The competition is open to solo performances and chamber ensembles from anyone aged 4 to 18 years old.
As the saying goes, ‘you’ve got to be in it to win it’. But everyone who takes part is a winner as far as we’re concerned. Wherever you finish in the competition, you’ll receive feedback from our jury panel and a certificate to show you were part of one of the world’s best youth music festivals.
The New Talent Festival is AY Academy’s flagship annual event and the Festival’s competition is a great way to exercise your musical muscles and learn from some of the world’s best teachers and professional musicians.
The competition is open to solo performances and chamber ensembles from anyone aged 4 to 18 years old.
As the saying goes, ‘you’ve got to be in it to win it’. But everyone who takes part is a winner as far as we’re concerned. Wherever you finish in the competition, you’ll receive feedback from our jury panel and a certificate to show you were part of one of the world’s best youth music festivals.
Our favourite moments & memories
Our favourite moments & memories
Our favourite moments & memories
Meet young musicians from all over the world!
7-10th July 2026
Hundreds of talented international musicians aged 4-18
Royal Academy of Music
Marylebone Road
London