Making Music unveils the recipients of the PDGYA Scheme

Making Music is pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of the Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artists (PDGYA) scheme. We're delighted to have partnered once again with the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) and Brighton Early Music Festival (BREMF). 

PDGYA continues its tradition of supporting young artists and ensembles, providing them with performance opportunities with Making Music members, who receive a subsidy for the booking. The scheme has supported emerging musical talent for over 60 years, offering invaluable experience and fostering collaborations with Making Music members nationwide. 

Jennifer Johnston, 2004 PDGYA recipient, said:  

‘At the start of my career, Making Music's input was invaluable, laying the foundations for later on, and giving me endless chances to perform all over the country.’

Charlotte Bowden, 2019 PDGYA recipient, said:

‘I am very grateful to have been part of the Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artist scheme, it has provided some wonderful performance opportunities around the UK.’

Barbara Eifler, Co-CEO of Making Music, said:  

‘Once again, we are delighted to support the next generation of musical stars and giving our members he opportunity to experience these young talents at the start of their amazing careers.’ 

Find out more information about all PDGYA artists and PDGYA subsidy rates.

For more information contact press@makingmusic.org.uk 

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Notes to editors

Since 1935, Making Music has championed leisure-time music groups across the UK with practical services, artistic development opportunities and by providing a collective voice for its members. We now represent over 4,000 groups of around 228,000 musicians of all types, genres and abilities. We help them run their group so they can get on with making music! makingmusic.org.uk

Partner organisations:

The Philip and Dorothy Green Artists scheme was created in 1961 and has helped to launch the careers of dozens of young musicians. It is made possible by the generosity of the Philip and Dorothy Green Music Trust, which promotes young artists and composers.

Founded in 1910, the ROSL is a non-profit private members' organisation dedicated to championing international friendship and understanding. ROSL helps artists and musicians connect, collaborate and create. ROSL supports talented young artists and musicians from the UK and internationally, providing performance and exhibition opportunities which bring their work to the attention of the professional arts community, media and general public. The ROSL Annual Music Competition has celebrated young musicians from the UK and commonwealth countries for 72 years, and now also awards accompanists and chamber ensembles. rosl.org.uk

BREMF runs a major festival of early music in and around Brighton during late October and early November. Established in 2007, the BREMF Live! young artists scheme seeks to support the sector by providing young artists with the skills to forge a successful career in the arts. Mainly focused on supporting young ensembles, the scheme has supported over 200 musicians and 65 ensembles since 2007, many of whom have gone on to establish extremely successful careers in the sector. bremf.org.uk

2024 PDGYA artists:

Apollo’s Cabinet
Apollo’s Cabinet is a captivating ensemble renowned for its dynamic performances that blend murder mysteries, drinking songs, and candlelit serenity. Members include Teresa Wrann (recorder), Thomas Pickering (harpsichord, recorder, and traverso), Jonatan Bougt (theorbo and baroque guitar), Harry Buckoke (viola da gamba), David Lopez Ibanez (violin), and Daniel Watt (percussion). They are winners of international competitions such as the ROSL Mixed Ensemble prize, Göttingen Händel Competition, and Biber Competition. They offer a unique mix of acting, dancing, poetry, and drama to modern audiences bringing historical performances to life with flair and finesse. They have made notable appearances at Bachfest Leipzig, London Handel Festival, Konzerthaus Vienna, and more. 

Bellot Ensemble
Bellot Ensemble specializes in 16th and 17th-century repertoire and prides itself on infusing each performance with energy and passion, along with style-specific improvisation. The core team comprises Lucine Musaelian (soprano and viola da gamba), Edmund Taylor (violin), Olivia Petryszak (recorder), Chris McClain (violin/viola), Pablo Tejedor-Gutierrez (cello), Danny Murphy (theorbo), and Mathew Brown (keyboard). 

Daffyd Jones
Welsh Tenor, Dafydd Jones, is about to complete his Artist Diploma in Opera at the Royal College of Music in London under the tutelage of Nicky Spence and Caroline Dowdle. He is a recent winner of the ROSL Vocal Section Final and was awarded the Ferrier Loveday Song Prize at the 2023 Kathleen Ferrier Finals. He will be appearing as Fenton in Verdi’s Falstaff at the Verbier Festival and then at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich where he’ll be joining as a young artist in September.

Daniel Shao
Daniel Shao, a British-Chinese flautist, has garnered acclaim for his "virtuosity, charm, and charisma in abundance" (The Telegraph), and has been recognised in Classic FM's 30 under 30. He has clinched First Prizes at esteemed competitions such as the ROSL Wind Competition, British Flute Society Young Artist, and Oxford Philharmonic Concerto Competition, in addition to being a BBC Young Musician Finalist. Notable collaborations include performances with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for the UK premiere of Ma Shui-Long’s Bamboo Concerto, as well as appearances alongside the National Symphony Orchestra and Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

Igas Maknickas
Ignas Maknickas, a classical concert pianist and YCAT artist, is currently completing the Advanced Diploma programme at the Royal Academy of Music under the guidance of Prof. Joanna MacGregor.

Música d’Outrora
Música d'Outrora is a versatile four-piece chamber ensemble, focused on exploring and reviving 17th-century Italian Baroque music, especially the trio sonata genre. Christi Park (violin), Timothy Lin (viola da gamba/violoncello), Louis Moisan (theorbo/baroque guitar), and Pablo Devigo (harpsichord/chamber organ) bring diverse expertise, from violin pedagogy to French baroque notation. Since 2022, they've gained recognition, securing grants from the Continuo Foundation for a 2023 concert tour and a 2024 album recording. Engaged in prestigious programmes like the BREMF Young Artists scheme, New Generation Baroque Ensemble Masterclass and Gli Incogniti Academy they benefit from coaching by Historical Performance experts and are committed to performances as well as educational outreach.

Jordan Brooks
Jordan Brooks is a musician known for passionate, energetic performances. He thrives on connecting with eager audiences, constantly seeking inspiration from various aspects of music and life. Beyond music, he enjoys long walks, concerts, and dancing.

The Portrait Players
The Portrait Players, formed at the end of 2022 for a concert of Handel’s Cantatas and German Arias, have since gained popularity and perform regularly across the UK. Their programmes curate historical performances in a relevant and inspiring manner, drawing from stories of historical and fictional characters, and the informal ambience of 17th-century salon culture.

Trio Archai
Trio Archai, founded in Basel, Switzerland, is rapidly gaining momentum as an emerging young trio. They won First Prize at the 72nd ROSL Competition in March 2024 and were prize winners at the Orpheus Swiss Chamber Music Competition in 2023. Upcoming engagements include performances at Wigmore Hall, Swiss Chamber Music Festival, and Schaffhausen Klassik. To attract diverse audiences, the trio prioritizes performing a wide variety of repertoire and curating innovative concert programs. The trio comprises Mar Valor Navarro (piano), Ayla Şahin (violin), and Finn Mannion (cello).