The Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) holds public auditions each year to determine which young musicians will be added to its roster for representation. Places on the roster include three to five years of dedicated developmental management, as well as debut performances in venues such as Wigmore Hall and the Concertgebouw.
In 2026, there was a 26% increase in the number of applications compared with 2025. A pool of semi-finalists was invited to live auditions at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and the Casals Forum in Kronberg, Germany. Those who were selected for the finals then performed to a jury at Wigmore Hall.
The following five artists were selected:
- Itamar Carmeli, piano
- Willard Carter, cello
- Callum McLachlan, piano
- Ewan Millar, oboe
- Pauline van der Rest, violin
In addition, Willard Carter was named as the YCAT Anniversary Artist for 2026, a particular distinction which will afford him extra benefits, including the opportunity to record a solo disc on the Delphian Records label.
The 2026 jury comprised Alasdair Tait (CEO & Artistic Director, YCAT), Tanya Bannister (President, Concert Artists Guild, New York), Caro Barnfield (Director of Music Programme, Britten Pears Arts), Jon Carvell (General Manager, Wigmore Hall), Etta Dainty (Senior Artist Manager, YCAT), Guido Gärtner (Bayerisches Staatsorchester / Bayerische Staatsoper), Johannes Pfeuffer (Artist Manager – Europe, YCAT), and Rachel van Walsum (Executive Chair, Maestro Arts).
“Given the daunting task of working through such an incredible number of outstanding initial applications this year, myself and my fellow jury colleagues have been truly inspired by the courage, openness and willingness to share that so many of these immensely talented young musicians have demonstrated throughout the whole process,” says Alasdair Tait, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of YCAT.
“It is a true honor to now be getting to know our final selected artists, helping shape together these crucial first steps of their undoubtedly successful professional lives.”
