Meet Our Adjudicators
*Please note that the order of names listed herein is arbitrary and does not reflect any ranking or precedence.
LAURENT BEN SLIMANE
Born in France, Laurent Ben Slimane obtained first prize in clarinet and chamber music at the Conservatoire National de Région de Tours. At the Conservatory of the 6th arrondissement of Paris in the class of Bruno Martinez, he received first prize of the City of Paris. At the Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris-CNR, he was rewarded with a unanimous first prize in the class of Richard Vieille. He later also won first prize of the City of Paris in bass clarinet in the class of Bruno Martinez.
As a teacher, Laurent Ben Slimane was assistant professor at the Conservatoire National de Région de Tours and bass clarinet professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. He currently teaches bass clarinet at the Royal Academy of Music, London. He has also taught at the Academia Musicale Internationale d’Assisi in Italy and at the Ponte Cultura International Summer Academy in Corsica, and has given masterclasses in France, Spain, Norway, Poland, USA, South Korea and Italy.
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In 2019, he world premiered the bass clarinet concerto Prometheus by Geoffrey Gordon with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Martyn Brabbins.
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He has given recitals and chamber music concerts in the UK, France, Norway and Italy and has also played with numerous orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, London Sinfonietta, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, Malher Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and others.
He has played under the batons of Esa-Pekka Salonen, Santtu Matias Rouvali, Sir Simon Rattle, Riccardo Muti, Sir Charles Mackerras, Charles Dutoit, Christian Thielemann, Lorin Maazel, Daniele Gatti, Gustavo Dudamel and Semyon Bychkov.
Laurent has held the position of Principal Bass Clarinet in the Philharmonia Orchestra since 2005 and, in 2008, was also appointed the orchestra’s Second Clarinet. Laurent is an International D’Addario and a Buffet Crampon artist.
Élisabeth Pion
« A curious and innovative artist, pianist Élisabeth Pion leads an imaginative career as a soloist, chamber musician and artistic collaborator. Recent highlights: the release of her first recording titled « Femmes de légende » with ATMA Classique, her debut with the Orchestre Métropolitain & Kensho Watanabe in a series of concerts highlighting Garuta’s concerto, as well as obtaining the 3rd prize of the Rio Piano Festival - Tribute to Nelson Freire, playing with the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira & Roberto Tibiriçá.
Élisabeth is a regular guest artist of many orchestras in North America, such as the Victoria Symphony, the Toledo Symphony, the Orchestre Classique de Montréal and Arion Orchestre Baroque. She has also collaborated closely with Thomas Leduc-Moreau and Ensemble Volte.
Élisabeth has appeared as a recitalist in several major venues, making her Wigmore Hall recital debut in 2021, as well as her Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall debut in 2022. She can also often be heard on Radio-Classique and BBC Radio 3. Élisabeth is an alumna of the Imogen Cooper Trust and an alumna of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where she studied with Ronan O'Hora, and where she was appointed Junior Fellow in 2022/2023, having previously obtained the Artist Diploma and the Artist Masters with the highest mentions. Élisabeth is the 2022 recipient of the Choquette-Symcox Prize from the Fondation Jeunesses Musicales Canada.
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Élisabeth continues her artistic development with Benedetto Lupo, and benefits from the mentorship of Gabriela Montero.
Her strong interests in literature, writing, composition, repertoire research and Tai Chi nourish her musical practice. »
Michael Armitage
Michael Armitage is a classical percussionist and drummer based in Leeds. Having finished his studies at Leeds Conservatoire in 2022 with a BA and MA, Michael has since formed multiple successful function bands, as well as a New Music Collective working with up and coming composers. He has performed countless world premiers of new music created by the composers he works closely with. He has been working as a freelance percussionist in orchestras across the UK for many years, as well as competing in brass bands at the highest level, playing at the Royal Albert Hall with Woodfalls Silver Band. As well as his successful performance career, Michael has also featured on many records in a range of different genres and can often be found in his home studio creating and recording either for film, or pop/rock, or soundscapes. Michael is also passionate about education and bringing on the next generation of musicians, teaching for ArtForms and Barnsley Music Service.
Eva Panchenko
Eva Panchenko, a virtuoso harpist with a rich history spanning over two decades, embodies the epitome of musical adaptability and excellence. Her journey with the harp has seen her collaborate with world-renowned artists such as Misha Maisky, Gideon Kremer, Andrea Bocelli, Jane Birkin, and Marcello Rota. Yeva's commitment to her craft is further highlighted through her participation in masterclasses with illustrious harpists including Delphine Constantin-Reznik, Alina Bzhezhinska, Ruth Wall, Keziah Thomas, and Natalia Izmaylova.
Yeva's professional career is highlighted by her role as the Principal II harpist for the National Symphonic Orchestra of Ukraine in Kyiv since 2015. Her performances have not only graced the stages across Ukraine but have also led her to international acclaim, with tours in Italy, Spain, Romania, China, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon. These tours included concerts of symphonic music, solo and orchestral performances, notably featuring M.Ravel's "Introduction and Allegro" among others. Additionally, Yeva has showcased her talents in various recording sessions and live performances broadcasted on television and YouTube.
Beyond the orchestral scene, since 2007, Yeva has thrived as an independent harpist. Her repertoire spans across classical, jazz standards, rock hits, ballads, and fusion, all delivered with live improvisation. Yeva's versatility extends to her roles in the "No Quarter" jazz-rock band and the Olga Lukacheva quartet, where she serves as a harpist, keyboardist, backing vocalist, and manager. Her managerial responsibilities include organizing concerts and compiling repertoires, showcasing her multifaceted involvement in the music industry.
Yeva's academic journey is equally impressive. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Prior to this, she graduated with honours from the Tchaikovsky Academy of Music in Ukraine (Kyiv) and obtained her Junior Specialist degree from the Gliére Institute of Music in Ukraine (Kyiv). Yeva's formative years were shaped at the Kyiv School of Arts, laying the foundation for her future achievements.
Between 2016 and 2019, Yeva dedicated herself to nurturing the next generation of musicians as a harp teacher. Her students, ranging from 5 to 27 years old, have gone on to win competitions and secure placements at the Kyiv College of Music under her guidance.
When not immersed in music, Yeva indulges in composing, hiking, exploring aromatherapy, and traveling to new countries, enriching her life and art through diverse experiences.
Alastair Beveridge
Alastair Beveridge is a professional guitarist and teacher based in London.After studying at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, he has enjoyed dual roles both enchanting audiences as a performer and inspiring the next generation of musicians as a dedicated teacher. He currently teaches at Bolingbroke Academy and at his own private studio. He has a diverse life as a performer, from making experimental music with contemporary collective We Are Children to entertaining nightclubbers at the Piano Works venue.
Pedro Gonçalves
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Pedro Gonçalves, born in Algarve, Portugal, is a freelance violinist and tutor. At ten, he began violin lessons at the Regional Conservatory of Music. Guided by mentor Nicolas Ramirez Celis, he earned his 8th-grade certification and European High School Diploma in music after eight years in this institution.
Pedro pursued his musical education in the UK, attending the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama for a Bachelor’s in Music Performance. Under mentors like Lesley Hatfield, Lucy Gould, and David Adams, he thrived, collaborating with esteemed musicians and building a strong network in both Portugal and the UK.
While studying, Pedro shared his passion as a violin and music tutor, nurturing young talent at South Powys Music Youth and Cardiff Music School. He currently also works at Cardiff Sixth Form College where he founded an orchestra for the first time in the college, giving an opportunity for students to enjoy making music.
Besides his teaching, Pedro works mainly as a freelance orchestral musician with groups like the Sinfonietta de Castelo Branco (Portugal) and Orquestra sem Fronteiras (Portugal) for over five years. He was also leader of the Portuguese Youth Orchestra and consequently selected for the season 23/24 with projects as a soloist and concerts in Berlin and Kassel part of the Young Euro Classic Festival.
Pedro’s love for the baroque violin led him to work with tutors such as Rachel Podger and to freelance with the Noxwode Ensemble (United Kingdom), even performing for members of the British royal family.
His 2024 season includes performances with symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras and chamber groups in Portugal, United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany, including his debut with Orquestra do Algarve (Portugal).
Source : The Benedetti Foundation
Ana Patricia Semedo
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Patrícia has been an Instrumental Ambassador of the Benedetti Foundation since 2021. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in Music Performance in Cello at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama having studied with Alice Nearyandreceived two scholarships awards, the Helen Rachael Mackaness Charitable Trust Scholarship Award(2020-2021) and the Ann Driver Scholarship(2021-2022).
Highlights from her time at the college are winning the Bridgewood & Neitzert Chamber Music Prize at RWCMD with cello and piano duo (June 2022), performing the opera Die Fledermaus in a RWCMD production within a small ensemble of musicians conducted by Alice Farnham (June/July 2022), performing in the John Ireland Competition Final with piano trio (March2022) and at the Young Musicians Showcase at Penarth Chamber Music Festival with a cello and piano duo (June 2021) and participated in a cello project at RWCMD with Abel Selaocoe (October 2021).
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After graduating, she went on to work as a Graduate Music Assistant at Wells Cathedral School (September-July 2023).
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Patrícia enjoys working with young people. On top of the Ambassador Programme she participated in a student placement with National Children’s Orchestra, a partnership with RWCMD,participated in the Accel. Project from Mish Mash Productions (January 2023), targeting those from groups currently under-represented in the classical music sector, developing the skills for a more theatrical presentation of music for young audiences and currently freelances as a Support Team member with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
Ivelina Krasteva​
Ivelina has performed in venues across Bulgaria, Turkey, Austria, Romania, Italy and the UK. Highlights include performances of Ravel’s Concerto in G with the Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra, Prokofiev’s First Piano Concerto with the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra and Mozart’s 24th Piano Concerto with the Vratsa State Orchestra, Bulgaria.
Ivelina has received numerous awards from international competitions such as the first prize at the Coulsdon and Purley Concerto Competition in London, UK; first prize and a broadcasted recital on a national radio from the International Piano Competition Schumann-Brahms in Plovdiv, Bulgaria; third prize at the Pera Piano Competition in Istanbul, Turkey; second prize at The Golden Keys Piano Competition; third prize at International Competition Wiener Pianisten, Vienna, Austria; and others. In 2015 her accomplishments as a musician were acknowledged with prizes from the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture and the Union of the Bulgarian Composers.
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An avid chamber musician, Ivelina has played in various ensembles and has won prizes from competitions such as the first prize from the International Music Competition in Belgrade, Serbia as a part of a piano trio. Ivelina enjoys accompanying voice and has appeared in the Guildhall School’s concert series Songs at 6. She has received tuition from the Endellion Quartet, the Gould Piano Trio, Lada Valesova, Pamela Lidiard, Bretton Brown, Carole Presland, Adrian Brendel, Ralf Gothoni.
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Ivelina is focused on building a strong foundation of the standard piano repertoire. She is also interested in exploring contemporary music and working with composers. In 2021 Ivelina and pianist Yuki Hammyo gave the premiere of British composer Charlotte Glyn-Woods’ work for 2 pianos Travel Slow. Ivelina is passionate about sharing works by female composers and has performed pieces by Elena Langer, Kaija Saariaho, Errollyn Wallen, Tansy Davies and others. In 2021 Ivelina took part in the Global Livestream Marathon ‘Woman Composers from Spain and Spanish America’ organised by the Festival Internacional de Musica de Tecla Espanola, performing Un Reve en Mer by Teresa Carreno.
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Ivelina is very enthusiastic about sharing music on more than just the concert platform. She teaches a small class of private students of all ages and has experience working with groups of children. In 2018 she led interactive performance workshops in primary schools in London, guided by Decoda, the affiliate ensemble of Carnegie Hall, which specializes in making classical music accessible to kids. She has also led workshops in the Centre for Young Musicians, Richard Huish College and Guildhall Young Artists Norwich.
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Born in 1998, Ivelina started her musical journey at 4 years of age. She received her primary and secondary education from the National School of Music and Dance in Plovdiv, working with Elena Velcheva. She graduated in 2017, receiving the school’s highest award for artistic achievements. In 2021, Ivelina received a first-class undergraduate degree, and in 2023, a Masters in Piano Performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, under the tutelage of Ronan O’Hora and Katya Apekisheva. In addition to her studies, she has benefitted from playing in masterclasses led by internationally acclaimed musicians, such as Richard Goode, Robert Levin, Imogen Cooper, Jonathan Biss, Bernard d'Ascoli, Itamar Golan, Boris Petrushansky, Noriko Ogawa, Stephan Moeller among others.
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Throughout her education, she has been supported by the Keyboard Charitable Trust, Craxton Memorial Trust, Bulgarian Ministry of Culture, Prof. Lyuba Encheva Foundation, Henry Wood Accommodation Trust, The Worshipful Company of Pewterers, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Norberto López García​
Norberto López García is an internationally acclaimed French horn player renowned for his remarkable artistry and versatility. Currently serving as Principal Horn with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London since 2024, Norberto has held prominent positions with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Toulouse Capitole, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, and Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville, among others.
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Norberto’s career highlights include solo performances of major horn repertoire such as Mahler's 5th Symphony conducted by Marin Alsop at London's Royal Festival Hall, Strauss's Capriccio at the Edinburgh Festival, and Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante at the National Music Auditorium of Madrid. His chamber music endeavors have seen him grace stages worldwide, including performances at Wigmore Hall with Wigmore Soloists and at festivals like Hitzacker in Germany and Interlaken in Switzerland.
Educated under esteemed professors such as Radovan Vlatkovic, Norberto earned his postgraduate and master's degrees in music performance from the prestigious Reina Sofia School of Music, where he was twice honored by Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain for academic excellence. His commitment to musical development was recognized through full scholarships from the Albéniz Foundation and Planet Group.
In addition to performing, Norberto is passionate about teaching. He has contributed significantly to music education at institutions like Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Oxford University's Faculty of Music, and through private teaching engagements across several countries including the UK, Spain, and New Zealand.
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His discography includes significant recordings with renowned ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra, featuring works by Stravinsky, Mahler, and contemporary composers, showcasing his expansive musical expertise.