The RNCM is proud to support and invest in five exciting ensembles in 2025/26 through fresh initiatives designed to open up the industry.
Acclaimed Danish string ensemble NOVO Quartet will join the RNCM as Ensemble in Association for 2025/26 in a year-long performance residency designed to support young international talent and provide inspirational experiences for current students.
NOVO Quartet – violinists Kaya Kato Møller and Nikolai Vasili Nedergaard, violist Daniel Śledziński, and cellist Signe Ebstrup Bitsch – will be resident at the RNCM from September 2025 and make their first public appearance in a free concert on Thu 30 Oct performing Haydn and Smetana (ticket required, via the RNCM website). The group was also recently announced as one of the first BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists in a unique partnership between the College and broadcaster.
Kaya, of NOVO Quartet, commented: ‘As a young quartet with a growing career, we hope to be a friendly and approachable presence for the students, almost like colleagues or friends they can always come to. Apart from giving masterclasses and the occasional performances, we want to create an open and collaborative atmosphere through sight-reading sessions, open talks, and conversations about life as a quartet. We want to make sure there’s space for questions, sharing ideas, and a bit of fun too!’
The Copenhagen-based group will also be mentoring and coaching as part of the RNCM String Quartet Studio 25/26 initiative – created to provide space for and investment in the conservatoire’s thriving community of chamber musicians. In 2025/26 the Studio will help to support current students Juna Quartet and Dovestone Quartet, as well as recent graduates Talland Quartet.
Chamber music at the RNCM is under the co-leadership of renowned musicians and educators Jeremy Young (Head of Piano Chamber Music) and Jennifer Langridge (Head of Strings Chamber Music).
Speaking about the new appointments and the value of chamber teaching, Jennifer said: ‘The RNCM String Quartet Studio has been designed to provide a clear pathway for ambitious student ensembles to flow into the professional world of chamber music. It is a way of providing some space and time for intense study, to enable musicians to focus and flourish together.
‘Chamber Music is central to life at RNCM. Every student receives coaching from our dedicated and specialist chamber music staff, we provide enrichment sessions, masterclasses, and performance platforms. There are seven chamber competitions throughout the year at the RNCM, culminating in the Christopher Rowland Ensemble of the Year Prize.
‘Thanks to the generous funding of the Albert and Eugenie Frost Music Trust CIO, we will be able to invite international visiting artists – including the Brodsky, Carducci, and NOVO quartets, Abel Selaocoe, and Leonard Elschenbroich – to mentor the RNCM String Quartet Studio ensembles.’
One of the most exciting chamber ensembles of their generation, Paddington Trio returns to the RNCM for a third year as Junior Fellows in Chamber Music. Comprising violinist Tuulia Hero (Finland), cellist Patrick Moriarty (Ireland), and pianist Stephanie Tang (US), the trio has won multiple awards and highlights in the group’s 2025 calendar include engagements at Wigmore Hall, King’s Place, Chipping Campden Music Festival, and the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival.
