We are delighted to announce this group of outstanding young artists as our Britten Pears Young Artists 2026–27. Over the coming year, these exceptional artists will join us at Snape Maltings to take part in one of our specialised courses or residencies as part of the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme.

Each will contribute to our founders’ vision of nurturing the next generation and connecting them with some of the world’s best performers, creatives and teachers. An experience on the programme combines world-class artistic training, a nurturing and inclusive ethos, the natural beauty of the Suffolk countryside and the lasting legacy of Britten & Pears.  

Led by Artistic Director James Baillieu, the Britten Pears Festival Academy offers high-level coaching, public masterclasses and performance opportunities, supporting emerging singers and collaborative pianists as they develop their artistic voice. Immersed in the unique creative environment of the Aldeburgh Festival, these young artists will work closely with an esteemed faculty and present their work in Festival performances.

Meet the artists:

Bruno Meichsner is the recipient of the Chandos Bursary

Erin Wagner is the recipient of the Mary Mackintosh Award

Madeleine Perring is the recipient of the Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Award

Carlos Bujosa Salazar is a Viola Tunnard Scholar

Led by Artistic Director Ryan Wigglesworth and an international faculty including Dame Imogen Cooper, Steven Osborne and the Kelemen Quartet, the Britten Pears Summer Academy provides time and space for deep musical exploration and collaboration. The course supports emerging pianists and string quartets as they prepare for the demands of a professional performing career. Alongside intensive study of repertoire from the 20th and 21st centuries, young artists will collaborate closely with emerging composers, workshopping and premiering new work. The course includes multiple performance opportunities, with four concerts and ten public masterclasses.

Meet the artists:

Zany Denyer is the recipient of the Richard and Gillie Cave Bursary 

Kyan Quartet are supported by the Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust

The next generation of composers and contemporary music performers will work side by side to develop new work, combining daily workshops, coaching and rehearsal with in‑depth exploration of core 20th and 21st‑century repertoire. Young artists will work with some of the leading figures in new music in the UK, with a faculty including composers Colin Matthews, Mark‑Anthony Turnage and Helen Grime, soprano Claire Booth, and conductor Jonathan Berman. 

Meet the artists:

Emily Beech is the recipient of the Keith Coventry Bursary

Connie Harris is the recipient of the Mary Diana Walkley Bursary

This series offers emerging chamber ensembles the opportunity to take time away from their usual commitments and focus on their artist development. Each ensemble will have a self-guided two-week residency at Snape Maltings, for dedicated rehearsal time, exploring new repertoire or time out to reflect and refresh. They will perform two Friday lunchtime concerts at the Jubilee Hall in Aldeburgh, the original home of the Aldeburgh Festival. 

Meet the artists:

Helix Trio are supported by The Wood and Steven Charitable Trust

Velvet Quartet are the recipients of the John Lawrence Field Memorial Bursary 

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