Britten Pears Young Artist Programme
We will be announcing our 2025/2026 programme of courses on 6 January 2025. Please keep an eye on our social media for updates on how to apply.
The Britten Pears Young Artist Programme (BPYAP) was founded in 1972 by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. It continues to offer early career professional musicians high-level performance training from some of the world’s finest performers, teachers and creatives. The programme takes place through courses and residencies at our creative campus, set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in rural Suffolk.
We're looking for outstanding emerging young artists (18 or over) interested in exciting opportunities to further refine their skills and gain valuable input from industry professionals. Generally, young artists come on our courses once they have either graduated from formal training or are finishing their education. There is no fixed upper age limit; being early career can look different for different artists and we embrace those that have taken a non-traditional route with starting their career, however there is no fixed upper age limit to apply. Being early career can look different for different artists, and we embrace those that have taken non-traditional routes in their training.
Following participation on a BPYAP course, young artists become part of the Britten Pears Arts network and could receive further opportunities within our performance programme, artist development and outreach-based projects.
We currently have opportunities for singers, collaborative pianists, chamber ensembles, instrumentalists, composers and an assistant conductor. There are no course fees, and we cover international and UK travel, accommodation in Aldeburgh and provide most meals.
Being a Britten Pears Young Artist has been the development opportunity of a lifetime. I am so grateful to have had the immense privilege of partaking in what has been the most transformative week of my life. There is absolutely something magical in the air at Snape Maltings.Britten Pears Young Artist 2023-24
Find out why you should apply to BPYAP...
2024-25 Courses
“I found the week both incredibly enjoyable and deeply inspiring. We had the space to explore hidden gems of contemporary music in an environment that was challenging, supportive, inclusive and great fun!”
Britten Pears Young Artist 2022-23
We are so grateful to our supporters, without whom none of our work would be possible. Visit Support us to find out how you can help.
Supporters contributing toward the 2023-24 Britten Pears Young Artist Programme include:
Anthony and Barbadee Meyer Song Bursary
Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne
Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust
Chandos Memorial Trust
The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Trust
Felicity Guinness
H Steven and PE Wood Charitable Trust
John Lawrence Field Memorial Trust
Kirstene Baillie
Medd Bursary
Professor Sir Barry Ife
The Rainbow Dickinson Trust
Richard Cave Trust
Ruth Common
The Steel Charitable Trust
Tim and Lizzie-Boo Llewellyn
The Nicholson Family in memory of Patricia Nicholson
Viola Tunnard Trust
Scarfe Charitable Trust
and the BPYAP Associates