GUILDHALL YOUNG ARTISTS ONLINE PRIZE 2026

3rd UK Schools Music Festival

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The UK Schools Music Festival is delighted to announce the outcome of the Guildhall Young Artists Online Prize for the 3rd UK Schools Music Festival 2026.

Following a review of all Gold Awardees from both the Live Competition and Video Submissions, Guildhall Young Artists Online has selected the winner of the Guildhall Young Artists Online Prize for the 3rd UK Schools Music Festival 2026.

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WINNER OF THE GUILDHALL YOUNG ARTISTS ONLINE PRIZE FOR THE 3RD UK SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026

IZZY DEANS

Bishop Luffa School / Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn / Secondary (Years 7–13) / Advanced Level

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Official Statement from Guildhall Young Artists Online

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Hello, congratulations, and thank you to each candidate who submitted a recording to the 3rd UK Schools Music Festival.

Guildhall Young Artists Online strives to bring top-class performing arts provision to wherever you are in the world through the power of online learning. We are, therefore, delighted to partner this year with UKSMF, which shares similar aims through their online competition.

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Adjudicating your performances has been quite the task! We have been particularly impressed by the breadth of talent on display across the country, and the diversity of instruments and repertoire being performed. You are all right at the beginning of your musical lives and we found lovely things in your playing in every single one of you.

If we can offer one portion of advice, it would be this - take the time to introduce yourself and announce what you will play. This invites the listener into your world and begins the ‘conversation’ even before the first note is played. It may seem daunting to speak but the audience will always appreciate it! Many of you did this, so well done!

Many of you could have won this prize, depending on criteria! On this occasion, we felt this performer captured us completely in their musicality, with clear expression and crisp technique, a sense of joy in their performance (this always helps!), and a fluidity and ease in their communication of musical ideas.

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Many congratulations to the winner of the Guildhall Young Artists Online Prize for the 3rd UK Schools Music Festival 2026… Izzy Deans!

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Congratulations again to all performers, and to all of the grown-ups, teachers, accompanists, and of course, families and carers, who have helped them get to this point. We look forward to organising a masterclass for the top gold awardees in the very near future!

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With very best wishes,

Joshua Jones & Julie Beaman

Heads of Guildhall Young Artists Online

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TOP 10 GOLD AWARDEES

1) Izzy Deans / Bishop Luffa School / Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn / Secondary (Years 7–13) / Advanced Level

2) Benjamin Ji / Queen Ethelburga's College / Violin / Secondary (Years 7–13) / Advanced Level

3) Ethan Liu / Ludgrove School / Cello / Secondary (Years 7–13) / Senior Level

4) Mia Hammond / The Study Prep / Violin / Primary (Years 1–6) / Intermediate Level

5) Coleman Li / Manchester Grammar School / Drums / Primary (Years 1–6) / Senior Level

6) Sui Yee Mildred Yau / Tolworth Girls' School / Harp / Secondary (Years 7–13) / Senior Level

7) Lylah Child / Acland Burghley School / Singing / Secondary (Years 7–13) / Junior Level

8 ) Chika Hase / Gosforth East Middle School / Violin / Primary (Years 1–6) / Intermediate Level

9) Amina Zakki / Chetham's School of Music / Piano / Primary (Years 1–6) / Senior Level

10) Ethan Ngai / Wilson's School / Piano / Secondary (Years 7–13) / Advanced Level

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The Top 10 Gold Awardees will be invited to participate in an exclusive online masterclass hosted by Guildhall Young Artists Online .

Further details will be sent to your registered email address in the coming weeks. Please keep an eye on your inbox and check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you do not miss any important updates.

Congratulations once again on this outstanding achievement. Wish you every success in your future musical journey.

See you all at the next UK Schools Music Festival!