Top row: Kwankaew Ruangtrakool, Peter Hicks, Esther Bersweden, Josh Quinlan Middle row: Andrew Moore, Fraz Ireland, Liv Muir, Ryan Morgan Bottom row: Kornélia Nemcová, Megan Webb

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We are delighted to announce that the National Youth Choir Emerging Professional Artists (EPAs) for 2025 have been chosen after a highly competitive application process.

Four Young Composers, two Young Conductors and four Fellows were selected to make up this year’s cohort; all of whom will spend 2025 working alongside National Youth Choir to gain invaluable professional experience. The schemes each offer a fully funded, year-long programme of professional development opportunities to emerging professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds and musical genres.

Ruth Evans, Executive Producer at National Youth Choir has led the development of the EPA programme since 2020. She says:

In 2025 we are celebrating ten years of National Youth Choir’s Emerging Professional Artists programme, a milestone to celebrate! 

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 for 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.

Introducing the Emerging Professional Artists 2025

The National Youth Choir welcomes emerging Young Composers: Esther Bersweden, who splits her time between Oxford and Bristol, Fraz Ireland from Manchester, London-based Slovakian-born Kornélia Nemcová, and Ryan Morgan who is from London. This year’s Young Conductors are Josh Quinlan based in Dorset, and Liv Muir who is based in Sheffield. The Fellows for 2025 are Kwankaew Ruangtrakool from Thailand now based in London, Peter Hicks from Guildford, Megan Webb from Berkshire, and Andrew Moore originally from Northern Ireland and now based in London.

Fellows

Kwankaew Ruangtrakool

Kwankaew Ruangtrakool, a Thai conductor and soprano currently pursuing an MA in Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, is driven by her ambition to inspire others and raise social awareness through music. She serves as Associate Choral Leader at St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Associate Conductor of the Covent Garden Chorus. Her experience includes directing the Manchester University Chamber Choir Ad Solem, the University Symphony Orchestra, and Somnium Chamber Choir. Beyond conducting, she has sung with EuroChoir 2022 in Switzerland, performed leading roles in opera productions at Bangkok Youth Opera and the University of Manchester, and led a number of voice workshops in Thailand.

I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity to work with the National Youth Choir. I can’t wait to share my love of music, create meaningful experiences and learn from such an inspiring organisation!

Peter Hicks 

Peter is a countertenor and conductor based in Guildford. His love of choral music stems from his years as a chorister at St. John's College, Cambridge. After reading Music at Durham University, where he also sang as a choral scholar at Durham Cathedral, Peter studied at the University of York for a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing, under Robert Hollingworth, graduating in 2023 with distinction. Peter is currently a Lay Clerk at Guildford Cathedral, and is working as Conducting Assistant at Farnham & Bourne Choral Society. He has recently been appointed as the new musical director of the Chantry Singers, starting in January 2025, and has also founded his own group, the Stag Consort, who regularly engage in projects in the Guildford area. An alumnus of National Youth Choir, Peter is delighted to be returning to the organisation.

National Youth Choir is already an organisation very dear to my heart after five happy years as a member, so it is a real honour to get to return as a Fellow. I cannot wait to get started!

Megan Webb

Megan started singing at the age of 15 with Berkshire Youth Choir and Rodolfus Choir, leading her to read for a BA in Music at the University of Cambridge. During her degree she held a variety of positions in the university’s collegiate choirs, including The Choir of Queens’ College, and performed regularly in student projects. Since graduating, Megan has enjoyed two years as the Eric Nye Alto Lay Clerk with The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge. She has featured as a soloist for a wide range of performances and recordings, with recent highlights including Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil at Thaxted Festival, Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 at Sinfonia Smith Square, James MacMillan's Miserere, and Clare Choir's upcoming album of unrecorded Renaissance works. She is also building up a busy freelance portfolio, recently undertaking recording and concert work with Luminatus and the Academy of English Voices, and holds a scholarship with Islington Choral Society. She currently learns with Lynette Alcantara. 

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.

Andrew Moore 

Andrew Moore is a Northern Irish Conductor, Music Therapist, Singer-Songwriter and Teacher based in London. Andrew holds a first class honours degree in music from Royal Holloway, a PGDE from UCL and a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Andrew enjoys a vibrant and varied career; he is the Musical Director of the Croydon Male Voice Choir, All Sing Choir, and regularly working as a freelance conductor. He works as a Choir Teacher in Mulberry Academy, Shoreditch and as a Music Therapist for Chroma Therapies. When Andrew isn’t conducting he can be found writing and recording songs. A committed Christian Andrew serves as Assistant Director of Music in St Anselm’s Church Kennington where he has the privilege to work with the teenage and primary aged choirs. As a previous member of the National Youth Choir Andrew is honoured and excited to be returning as a Fellow.

I remember hearing about the Fellowship Scheme in 2015 when it launched and thinking, ‘Wow, I could never do that.’ It feels surreal and is an incredible honour to be a Fellow for 2025 all these years later.

Composers

Esther Bersweden 

Esther is a composer and conductor who splits her time between Oxford and Bristol. In 2021 Esther received a Distinction in a Music MA specialising in Composition at the University of Bristol; she particularly loves writing choral music and recent commissions include the Bristol Bach Choir, RSCM, Eltham Choral Society, Thames Chamber Choir and the City of Bristol Choir. Her music is published by OUP, RSCM and Encore Publications, and has been performed on BBC Radio 3. Esther is the Director of Music at St Barnabas Church in Oxford, as well as co-leading the Avon Chamber Choir in Bristol. From January, she will also be the Director of Music for the Blockley Ladies Choir.  

I can't wait to see what comes of this year working alongside the National Youth Choir and the other Emerging Professional Artists. Thank you for this opportunity!

Fraz Ireland 

Fraz Ireland is a composer, performer and music engraver. Often with a playful approach, Fraz’s work explores connections between score, performers, and audience through incorporation of text, video, drawings, or perhaps an evocative title or a story shared in rehearsal. Fraz is currently working on new music for CoMA London, and recent projects include an organ solo commissioned by Choir & Organ, a piece for Hereford Chamber Choir performed at Three Choirs Festival; and piece for the Sunday Boys that has been recorded for ABRSM. 

I’m delighted to have this opportunity to get to know and write for the fantastic National Youth Choir - it’s going to be a fun year!

Kornélia Nemcová 

Kornélia Nemcová is a London-based Slovak composer, whose music was played by ensembles such as Terra Invisus, The Ruffians, TL String Ensemble, TL Symphony Orchestra and members of ZOE Chamber Orchestra. Her project, ‘A Woman’s War’, centred around Ukrainian women refugees, created with an artist Natália Štojková, was awarded Trinity Laban Innovation Award 2024. The digital version of this piece was displayed in Outernet, at the London Breeze Film Festival and is scheduled to appear at Internationales Digitalkunst Festival. Kornélia holds a BMus in Composition from Trinity Laban. Amongst her current projects is a participation in the Film Composers Lab scheme with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. 

I'm beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to dive deeper into the world of choral music with the National Youth Choir, joining so many talented young singers and fellow Emerging Professional Artists.

Ryan Morgan

Ryan Morgan is a London-based composer, experimental vocalist, and educator blending music with "theatre" through ritual, improvisation, and movement. With a BMus from the University of Birmingham and a Masters in Creative Practice from Goldsmiths, Ryan's compositions have been commissioned by Terra Invisus, London Sinfonietta, and Birmingham Opera Company. His string quartet 'Phantom Pyres' won the London Mozart Players' Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Prize, and his work on a hyper-pop opera earned a VAULT Festival 'After Dark' award nomination. He also currently writes music curriculum, tutors several music school choirs and ensembles with a creative composition focus, co-leads children's musical theatre making, and has taught Vocal Composition at the Sound and Music Summer School.

I’ve long admired the National Youth Choir’s work and impact. I’m thrilled to join their composers' programme, fully engaging in the medium I love—the voice—and connecting with like-minded creatives who share this passion.

Conductors

Josh Quinlan

Josh Quinlan is a British producer, conductor and baritone, originally hailing from Liverpool but now based in Dorset. He received his foundational musical training as a chorister at Holy Trinity Church, Southport before starting tuition in singing, conducting, composition and clarinet at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music, and later reading Music at the University of York where he obtained First Class Honours. He made his Royal Albert Hall conducting debut at age 18, performing his own music with the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir (who also commissioned the work), and has been involved with the National Youth Choir for many years, initially as a member and now as a Section Coach & Producer. More recently, he was selected as one of nine singers to receive world-class training on Glyndebourne’s esteemed Academy programme (2023), and has produced albums for numerous labels including NMC Recordings and National Youth Choir Recordings. 

I am thrilled to be returning to National Youth Choir, and deeply honoured to have been selected as a Young Conductor. It's going to be an amazing year, that's for sure, and I just can't wait to get started!

Liv Muir

Liv is a choir director, conductor and arranger based in Sheffield. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Music from the University of York in 2019 and has just completed an MA in Music Management from the University of Sheffield. She works in multiple choirs and music projects in South Yorkshire, including indie pop choir Neighbourhood Voices and the Staff Wellbeing Choir at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. She has previously sung with Barnsley Youth Choir. Liv works as the Marketing Officer at national chamber music promoter Music in the Round and as Comms Officer for national charity Choir With No Name, an organisation running choirs involving people affected by homelessness. She is passionate about expanding opportunities for people all life experiences to come together to sing. 

I am so incredibly excited to work with the National Youth Choir. I’ve admired the amazing work they do for years and can’t wait to learn from brilliant conductors, peers and singers!

The Emerging Professional Artists Programme

The Fellowship programme for emerging choral leaders aged 20-27 focusses on four key areas of career, education, performance and leadership. It offers opportunities to develop ambitious and creative young musicians who want to become part of the professional choral network, as well as help to re-shape it.

Fellows have the opportunity to develop a portfolio of professional opportunities and skills including observing, training and working with National Youth Choir staff and young members and being involved with the Learning & Engagement programme at locations across the UK. They will also take part in a busy programme of professional recordings and concerts at high profile venues and festivals. 

Now in its seventh year, the Young Composers Scheme champions the development, innovation and diversity of new choral music. Emerging composers aged 18-29 benefit from a range of residential courses, creative retreats, workshops, peer and professional mentoring and performance showcases along with expert advice and tuition from distinguished composers. It also provides the unique opportunity to write music to be sung by the National Youth Choir.

Professional training and insights, and a professional recording and release for their work will be facilitated by Digital Partner NMC Recordings. Free licenses and training in Dorico Pro notation software are provided by Principal Innovation Sponsor Steinberg Media Technologies, and they will also receive unique opportunities provided by Innovation Partner Stainer & Bell.

The Young Conductors will gain experience conducting the National Youth Choir’s ensembles of singers aged 9 to 25, as well as being mentored by top conductors and educators, across a range of musical styles. They will also develop their knowledge of the industry and build a network of contacts that will prove invaluable as their careers continue.

Previous high profile guest mentors and workshop leaders across the schemes have included composers and musicians including Jacob Collier, Dame Sarah Connolly, Errollyn Wallen, John Rutter, Roxanna Panufnik and The Swingles.

Find out more about our Emerging Professional Artists programme

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Our Partners

The Young Composers scheme is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. We are most grateful to the following for their kind grant support, partnership and advocacy: Stainer & Bell, Steinberg Media Technologies (Dorico), ABRSM, Britten Pears Arts, School Farm Studios, The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, PRS for Music Foundation and Vaughan Williams Foundation. 

The Fellowship is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. We are most grateful to the following for their kind grant support, partnership and advocacy: Steinberg Media Technologies, The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Ofenheim Trust, Making Music and AOTOS (Association of Teachers of Singing). 

The Young Conductors scheme is supported by an Arts Council England Lottery Project Grant. The National Youth Choir are grateful for the partnership of Black Lives in Music in developing this scheme and ABCD for their support of our Young Conductors.

All three Emerging Professional Artist schemes will be supported in 2025 by The Fenton Arts Trust.