RNCM announces latest names to join chamber music pathways
Acclaimed Danish string ensemble NOVO Quartet returns to the RNCM in September as Ensemble in Association 2026/27, Trio Havisham and Dutch-American violinist Amarins Wierdsma are confirmed as Junior Fellows in Chamber Music, while Talland Quartet, Voluta Quartet, Agogo Quartet, and Osian Ensemble join the RNCM String Quartet Studio.
The year-long performance residencies support young international talent and create clear professional pathways, as well as provide inspirational experiences for current students through side-by-side performances, open rehearsals, masterclasses, and teaching. The chamber initiatives and appointments are led by Jennifer Langridge as RNCM Head of Strings Chamber Music and Jeremy Young as RNCM Head of Piano Chamber Music.
NOVO Quartet and Amarins Wierdsma
In its second year as both RNCM Ensemble in Association and a member of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme, NOVO Quartet (violinists Kaya Kato Møller and Nikolai Vasili Nedergaard, violist Daniel Śledziński, and cellist Signe Ebstrup Bitsch) will focus on coaching, collaborative projects, and side-by-side performances – including Strauss’ Metamorphosen on Thu 3 Dec, alongside the new RNCM String Quartet Studio ensembles.
First violinist Kaya says: ‘We’ve loved our first year as Ensemble in Association. The openness and enthusiasm from the students made our first year a joy!’
The RNCM also welcomes two new Junior Fellows in Chamber Music – with Trio Havisham and Amarins Wierdsma in position from September 2026, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the programme through coaching and side-by-side performance.
Trio Haversham and Agogo Quartet
RNCM alumni, a former Ensemble en Résidence at La Roque d’Anthéron International Piano Festival, and part of the Countess of Munster Recital Scheme, Trio Havisham are pianist Zany Denyer, violinist Magdalena Riedl, and cellist Seth Collin.
Utrecht-born violinist Amarins Wierdsma studied with Coosje Wijzenbeek at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, Vera Beths at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, and David Takeno at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and is the recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Emily Anderson Prize as well as first violinist in the acclaimed Barbican Quartet – winners of the 71st ARD International String Quartet Competition.
Returning to the RNCM String Quartet Studio in 2026/27 is Talland Quartet following an exciting 12 months that included high-profile international performances at West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Danish String Quartet Academy, and Delft Chamber Music Atelier. The group has also recently joined Italy’s Le Dimore del Quartetto network and been announced as The Stoller Hall’s Haworth Emerging Artists for 2026/27.
Talland Quartet
Voluta Quartet comes to the Studio as winners of both the RNCM Hirsch Prize and RNCM Weil Chamber Music Prize,
and as recent finalists in the Christopher Rowland Chamber Ensemble of the Year award. Agogo Quartet will build on its experiences as Artists-in-Residence at the Barrow Classical Music Foundation and a string of prestigious national performances, including a concert at Wigmore Hall. Finalists in the RNCM Weil Chamber Music Prize, Osian Ensemble excels in both classical repertoire and cross-genre collaboration, and has recently performed at ‘Manichester’, a tribute to Mani of The Stone Roses, in front of a 3,000-strong crowd.
The four ensembles were selected through competitive application and auditions, and over the next 12 months will be provided with facilities, coaching, and a performance calendar designed to develop their repertoire, artistic identity, and concert experience. The RNCM String Quartet Studio is generously supported by the Albert and Eugenie Frost Music Trust.
Orla McGarrity, second violinist with Talland, says: ‘Being part of quartet studio has provided us with much needed support and structure. It is the ultimate gift to get to delve into the world of chamber music together.’
23 July 2026
