About us Our impact There when it matters most Every day brings new challenges for young musicians – especially in the first years after leaving higher education. Opportunities are hard-won, whilst challenges come along far too frequently. YCAT’s activities are designed to help young musicians – at all levels – face these challenges head-on, encouraging them to develop the resilience and imagination to achieve their creative potential. When young artists receive high-quality support, regular and strategic performance work and personal development opportunities during the critical early stage of their career – it makes a lasting impact on their future. Some key achievements from the 2024-25 season: . "YCAT is life changing!...YCAT have been a fantastic support both professionally and personally. Their artistic planning and vision is unique with the perfect support to launching an international career...I can confidently say that I wouldn't be where I am today without YCAT!" . Iyad Sughayer, (YCAT Artist) The trajectories of our alumni artists – who are regularly sought after by concert promoters and commercial management agencies worldwide – demonstrate that the time spent with YCAT can have a transformative impact on musicians' careers. Since our foundation in 1984, over 140 gifted musicians have launched their careers as YCAT Artists. These include Ian Bostridge CBE, Alison Balsom OBE, the Belcea Quartet and James Baillieu. We also provided aftercare and support for the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition. Over the past 20 years we have supported 45 winners and finalists, including Martin James Bartlett, Jess Gillam and Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE. Inspiring audiences throughout the UK In 2024-25 we continued our Wigmore Hall Lunchtime Concert Series, with 8 recitals performed in total. Around these performances, each artist takes their Wigmore Hall programme on tour around the UK. Not only is it a vital performance experience for YCAT Artists but connecting with local communities in the UK who would otherwise not have access to such high-quality musical performance. Thank you to our committed regional partners for making this possible: St Georges, Bristol, Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Leeds College of Music, Saffron Hall, Theatre Clywd (North Wales), Harrogate International Festivals and Wiltshire Music Centre. . “Being a YCAT artist gives you the chance to debut on one of the world’s best stages - Wigmore Hall. Using everything I learnt from smaller concerts and recitals really prepared me for this. Over the three years I played three lunchtime recitals as part of this series, and I am honoured to have performed there so much! Several dreams of mine came true during my time as a YCAT artist." Timothy Ridout (YCAT Artist 2016) _______ To find out more about YCAT’s impact, please read our 2024-25 Annual Review below: Manage Cookie Preferences