RNCM selects 2019 IAD artists

We are delighted to announce the six performers chosen to undertake the RNCM International Artist Diploma.

Commencing in September, harpist Richard Allen, sopranos Mariya Irel and Yuliya Shkvarko, pianist Maxim Kinasov, percussionist André Nadais and violist Lilya Tymchyshyn will spend one year studying for the prestigious qualification, intended for artists on the cusp of international careers.

l-r Richard Allen, Mariya Irel and Yuliya Shkvarko

Through intensive tuition and specialist classes, the selected artists will receive advanced musical training to the highest level in performance, honing their artistic, technical, presentation and communication skills. They will also expand their recital, concerto and operatic repertory and benefit from exciting opportunities both at the College and externally.

Dr David Horne, Head of the RNCM Graduate School, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to welcome such a high calibre of performers onto the 2019/20 International Artist Diploma programme. Singers will be given major roles in the College’s opera productions and instrumentalists will perform concertos with the internationally-renowned BBC Philharmonic. All the soloists will give recitals throughout the year in the College’s programme of public concerts.’

l-r Maxim Kinasov, André Nadais and Lilya Tymchyshyn

About the Artists

Richard Allen studied with Gabriella Dall’Olio and Letizia Belmondo in both London and Lausanne. Born in Belfast in 1993, he gives recitals and performances across the UK and beyond, including St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Royal Festival Hall. His playing has won many awards including Second Prize at the Félix Godefroid International Harp Competition and First Prize at the North London Camac Competition. Richard is generously supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and the Royal Philharmonic Society.

The International Artist Diploma is a dream come true for any aspiring musician and I feel very privileged to be one of the lucky few chosen to take part. By allowing me to work alongside artists of the highest calibre both within the RNCM and beyond, I hope I will be able to show the harp in a new light, all while helping younger students steer the sometimes troubled waters of conservatoire training – a challenge I hugely look forward to!’

Born in Bulgaria, Mariya Irel studied at Seoul National University and the RNCM, generously supported over the years by the Korean Government Scholarship Program Award, The Countess of Munster Music Trust, Yvonne and Peter Wilson Award (RNCM) and an ABRSM scholarship. She has won prizes at the Seoul Orchestra Concours, Concorso Internazionale ‘Roma Lirica’ and Korean Classical Singers Association Concours, and has worked with the Korean French Song Association, Camarata Chamber Choir and Singers and the Young-An Presbyterian Church Choir. In 2018 she received Second Prize at the International Chamber Song Competition ‘Pancho Vladigerov’ and portrayed the role of Sister Genovieffa in RNCM Opera’s production of Puccini’s Suor Angelica.

‘I am absolutely thrilled to be one of next year’s IAD scholars! I am looking forward to upholding and building on the highest standards of performance and musicianship, as well as serving as an ambassador to our exceptional institution.’

Maxim Kinasov was born in Moscow and graduated with honours from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. As a soloist of the St Petersburg Music House, he has given concerts in Italy, Spain, USA, UK, Brazil, Russia and won top prizes at the Chopin Competition in Rome, GB Viotti Competition in Vercelli, Brescia Classica Competition in Brescia and, in the UK, the Beethoven Society of Europe Intercollegiate, Hastings Concerto and RNCM Gold Medal Competitions.

‘I believe the International Artist Diploma will help me to achieve my goals, building on my artistic and professional skills. My future plans include recording a professional CD and I will be expanding my repertoire. I will also give many recitals in the UK next year and I think it is a wonderful opportunity to have a guaranteed concerto appearance with the BBC Philharmonic.’

André Nadais was born in Portugal and has won awards including First Prize at the Contest Tumpa-Tumpa, Contest Hall Premium, Tomarimbando International Marimba Competition and RNCM Southern Percussion Competition, in addition to being successful in the RNCM Concerto Competition and gaining a Yamaha Scholarship. In chamber music competitions he won First Prize at the Portuguese Young Musician of the Year with the 2€DUO and at the 13th China National Percussion Competition with the RNCM Percussion Ensemble. Other highlights include playing at the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian in Portugal, at the Sage Gateshead in Newcastle, at the Beijing Forbidden City Concert Hall, the Palau de la Música in Valencia and WuHan Concert Hall in China.

What I am looking forward to the most from the IAD is to develop as a musician and to take the next steps in my career as an international soloist.’

Yuliya Shkvarko is an awardee of the Presidential Award for Young Talents (Belarus) and a prize-holder of the International Vocal Competitions ‘Little Opera’ (Kohtla-Järve) and ‘I sing for you, Russia’ (Velikiye Luki). She is also a recipient of the 2011 Brisbane City Council Junior Championship Trophy, an Alion Baltic International Music Festival Scholarship (Tallin) and a Master of Music (Intensive) and Advanced Postgraduate Diploma from the RNCM. Recent performances include Geraldine (A Hand of Bridge – Barber, RNCM), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi – Puccini, RNCM), Antonina Milyukova (Tchaikovsky, Angel of Music – Ross, 4MBs), Leeds Lieder International Concert Season, Revolution Retrospective (Stoller Hall) and Rachmaninov Song Festival (London).

‘I am proud to accept a place on the International Artist Diploma programme and am most looking forward to expanding my professional experience through learning from the world-class artists available at College, preparing me to fully step into a worldwide career.’

Lilya Tymchyshyn was born in Bolton in 1993. Growing up watching her mother perform opera, she was inspired to take up the piano, then later viola. A laureate of the 2014 Johannes Brahms Competition, her most recent achievement is winning First Prize at Beethoven’s Hradec Competition in 2015. An extremely enthusiastic chamber musician, Lilya has performed in many festivals including Rencontres Musicales d’Évian and Verbier Festival. She is currently finishing her Master’s studies with Hariolf Schlichtig at the University of Music and Arts Munich. Lilya plays on a viola by Jean Baptiste Vuillaume, a generous loan from private owners through the Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben.

‘I am so excited, not only for the incredible concert opportunities that the course has to offer, but also to inspire younger students as a mentor.’

 

26 March 2019