There when it matters most. 

Every day brings new challenges for young musicians  – especially in the first years after leaving higher education. Opportunities are hard-won, whilst challenges come along far too easily.  

YCAT’s activities are designed to help young musicians – at all levels – face these challenges head-on, encouraging them to develop the resilience and imagination to achieve their creative potential.

When young artists receive high-quality support, regular and strategic performance work and personal development opportunities during the critical early stage of their career – it makes a lasting impact on their future.

Throughout 2022-23 we delivered: 

YCAT is life changing! The last two years have been wonderful. YCAT have been a fantastic support both professionally and personally. Their artistic planning and vision is unique with the perfect support to launching an international career. 

I've been so fortunate to have engagements all around the UK and Europe and have collaborated with fantastic musicians from the YCAT family. 

I can confidently say that I wouldn't be where I am today without YCAT!" 

- Iyad Sughayer (piano)

The trajectories of our alumni artists – who are regularly sought after by concert promoters and commercial management agencies worldwide – demonstrate that the time spent with YCAT can have a transformative impact on musicians' careers.

Since our foundation in 1984, over 100 gifted musicians have launched their careers as YCAT Artists. These include Ian Bostridge CBE, Alison Balsom OBE, the Belcea Quartet and James Baillieu.

We also provided aftercare and support for the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition. Over the past 20 years we have supported 45 winners and finalists, including Martin James Bartlett, Jess Gillam and Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE.

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Inspiring audiences throughout the UK 

In 2022-23 we continued our Wigmore Hall Lunchtime Concert Series, with 7 recitals performed in total. In the lead-up to these performances, each artist takes their Wigmore Hall programme on tour around the UK. 

Not only is it a vital performance experience for YCAT Artists but connecting with local communities in the UK who would otherwise not have access to such high-quality musical performance. 

Thank you to our committed regional partners for making this possible: St Georges, Bristol, Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Leeds College of Music, Saffron Hall, Theatre Clywd (North Wales).

“Being a YCAT artist gives you the chance to debut on one of the world’s best stages - Wigmore Hall. Using everything I learnt from smaller concerts and recitals really prepared me for this. Over the three years I played three lunchtime recitals as part of this series, and I am honoured to have performed there so much!

Several dreams of mine came true during my time as a YCAT artist. Including playing Walton Concerto with Philharmonia Orchestra, Zurich Tonhalle, Bartok Concerto with BBC Symphony Orchestra and Mozart Sinfonia Concertante with Camerata Salzburg.”

Timothy Ridout (viola) 

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To find out more about YCAT’s impact, please read our 2021-2022 Annual Report below: