Young Artist Programme
Applications for our 2026 Young Artist Programme are now open!
We are delighted to offer our most ambitious and exciting Young Artist Programme to date in 2026, featuring wonderful opportunities for promising, early-career song duos and an intensive programme of talks and Masterclasses!
This year’s programme offers five song duos the chance to come together for a four-day intensive course across May 21-24 in Catford and Elephant & Castle, London as part of SongEasel’s 2026 Festival Weekend. Participants will benefit from three masterclasses with leaders including Professor Richard Stokes, tenor James Gilchrist and pianist Roger Vignoles, and perform in a final showcase. There will be talks to develop skills for careers in song, and each duo will be offered at least one opportunity to showcase their work in the next year across one of our carefully chosen community engagement platforms. Please indicate your availability in the form below.
We are glad to be able to offer this course free of charge again this year. Whilst accommodation in London is not covered, those wishing to apply from further afield are welcomed and we can help arrange accommodation for the period (costs may apply). Please make a note of this in your application form.
Please complete the application form by 5pm on 16th February 2026 to apply.
Opportunities for SongEasel Young Artists
Our Young Artist Programme provides first-rate performance and coaching opportunities to five duos, including:
Masterclasses, this year with Professor Richard Stokes, tenor James Gilchrist and pianist Roger Vignoles
Performance Platform in our recital series
Community Performance Platforms with preparatory coaching and guided reflection from song specialists, Sholto Kynoch and Jocelyn Freeman
Professional Development Talks delivered by leading industry specialists, including opportunities for career coaching, Q&A, and networking
Performance Platform: Young Artist Showcase, Sunday 24 May
Young Artists will perform as part of SongEasel’s 2026 Festival Weekend.
Community Performance Platforms - [various dates]
Selected participants received 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.
Professional Development Talks
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.
“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)
Eligibility criteria for the SongEasel Young Artist Programme
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.
What do I need in order to apply?
1-2 videos of your duo performance, recorded within the last year.
1 video telling us why you would like to participate in the programme
A written reference from somebody who has knowledge of your work. This can be one reference for both members of the duo or one reference for each member of the duo.
Your duo’s repertoire list for the masterclasses. This should include at least six songs, including one song by Carl Loewe, one by a Spanish composer or Spanish-inspired, and other free choice songs for your duo
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.
Our Young Artist Programmes launched in 2021 and has grown year-by-year to offer a wide range of opportunities to more than 50 talented early-career song duos to date
Previous opportunities for SongEasel Young Artists have included:
Masterclasses with Laurent Naouri (2022), Ailish Tynan (2022), Keval Shah (2023), Roy Howat (2024), Roderick Williams OBE (2024), Pauliina Tukiainen (2025), Juliane Banse (2025) and Stephan Loges (2025).
Performance platforms, including at Blackheath Halls, mentored by Jocelyn Freeman (2023 & 2025).
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.
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:
