National Youth Choir reveals 2025 Emerging Professional Artists

The National Youth Choir has announced the selection of 10 new emerging professional artists (EPAs) for its 2025 cohort. Four young composers, two young conductors and four fellows will gain professional experience alongside the choir in 2025 as part of the fully funded, year-long programme.

The EPA programme offers professional development opportunities to emerging talent from a diverse range of backgrounds. Joining the scheme in 2025 are young composers Esther Bersweden, Fraz Ireland, Kornélia Nemcová and Ryan Morgan as well as young conductors Josh Quinlan and Liv Muir. The EPA fellows for 2025 are Kwankaew Ruangtrakool, Peter Hicks, Megan Webb and Andrew Moore.

National Youth Choir executive producer Ruth Evans, who has led the development of the EPA programme said: ‘Joining the new cohort are ten phenomenal young artists from across the UK who care passionately about choral music, music education and new music. Our 2025 Young Composers, Young Conductors and Fellowship are a dynamic, collaborative and diverse group. Through working with them at the selection process, we know they will enrich the National Youth Choir community in 2025 and for years to come.’

The newly selected young composers will benefit from expert mentorship and tuition, creative workshops and courses, and performance showcases alongside free licenses and training in Dorico Pro notation software. They will also write music to be sung by the National Youth Choir, and a professional recording and release for their work will be facilitated by NMC Recordings. Young conductors will gain experience conducting the National Youth Choir’s ensembles of singers as well as being mentored by top conductors and educators and developing their knowledge and network.

The incoming cohort on the Fellowship programme will focus on four key area; career, education, performance and leadership. They will work with National Youth Choir staff, members and the choir’s learning and engagement programme to develop a portfolio of professional opportunities and skills as well as supporting the choir’s programme of professional recordings and concerts.

Incoming EPA fellow Megan Webb said: ‘I am so pleased have been appointed an Emerging Professional Artist for 2025, this will be an incredible programme for my development as a singer and choral leader, and am excited to see what opportunities arise from this scheme. I cannot wait to start working with the artistic leadership team, its professional collaborators such as the BBC Singers, my fellow Artists, and mostly importantly the amazing young singers that make the organisation what it is.'