Patron: Cecilia McDowall
Young Singers Choral Scholarship Programme
We are delighted to welcome our new Scholars from our Young Singers Choral Scholarship Programme for the 2023/24 50th Anniversary Season, who bring with them a host of differing experiences so far in their young careers: Rebecca Kent (Soprano), Finn Whelan (Baritone) and Yajie Ye (Mezzo Soprano).
Ranging from Rose Bruford College to The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama these vibrant young singers join the Choir at a truly exciting time as we celebrate 50 Years. In addition to free membership and subsidised music purchase, their scholarship includes singing lessons with our Resident Tutor Tabitha Reynolds, Career Development and CPD in workshops and training, promotional photographs and recording opportunities, and an open masterclass in April. They are also getting involved in a host of observing and shadowing experiences including interactions with multi-Grammy Award-winning ensemble The Swingles, attending music and stage rehearsals with The New Movement Collective and observing rehearsals in development as part of Opera Holland Park’s 2024 Season.
Rebecca Kent has been singing in the London Oriana Choir led by Dominic Ellis-Peckham for almost two years, and has recently become a scholar. She has sung in a variety of choirs throughout her life and has performed solos such as Domine Deus from Vivaldi’s Gloria, Pie Jesu from Fauré’s Requiem and Peace on Earth by Errollyn Wallen. She has also sung in chamber groups including singing Magnificat Quinti Toni by Guillaume Dufay in Falmouth Parish Church and in consort groups as part of an Eton Choral Course. For two years she directed Falmouth and Exeter’s University Choir, Viva Voce, drawing on skills learnt from gaining top grades in singing and piano studies and A level music, teaching choral pieces and conducting performances. She introduced a diverse repertoire, ranging from Madrigals and Ola Gjeilo to Billy Joel. During her A Level studies she was given the award of Sydenham High School’s Musician of the Year 2017.
Rebecca is an artist, currently running children’s art workshops, alongside her own art practice. She expresses her creativity through different media, and as well as making visual art, she also brings music and sound elements into her work, recording and layering her voice and experimenting with improvisation and composition in the form of conceptual and sound art.
Finn Whelan is a recent graduate of Rose Bruford College where he trained in Actor Musicianship, a course which combined his skills as a musician - he plays the piano and the cello - with his skills as an actor. Growing up, he sang in his school’s chamber choir and played in several ensembles including the Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra. He attended regular singing lessons and achieved a distinction in Grade 8 Singing. As well as choral and classical music, Finn also enjoys singing Musical Theatre repertoire and has performed in various musicals including West Side Story, The Phantom of the Opera, and most recently Seussical. He is very excited to have joined The London Oriana Choir on their Scholarship Scheme, and for the growth it will bring him as a singer, musician and performer.
Yajie Ye is a Mezzo-Soprano currently based in London. She pursued vocal performance and composition during her BMus at Cardiff University. As a choral singer, Yajie collaborated closely with prestigious choirs, including the BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC National Chorus of Wales, Edinburgh International Festival, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, National Youth Choir of Scotland, and Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir. During her MPhil studies at the University of Glasgow under the supervision of Professor John Butt, she received the Lanfine Choral Exhibitioner Scholarship. As a vocal soloist, she secured honours in numerous national and international competitions, notably achieving the Second Prize in the Vocal Music Competition of the American California International Youth Arts Festival. Her performances across Europe as a soloist include prestigious venues like Mairie du 13ème arrondissement de Paris, France, alongside the Point Art Troupe. Currently a PhD researcher at King’s College London, Yajie is undertaking a performance-based research project in conducting. Since 2019, she has held roles as a musical director, with student ensembles such as the South China Normal University - College of Arts Choir, Cardiff University Bella Cantas, and Unison: Variety Singers. Her versatility extends beyond traditional roles, evidenced by her position as an assistant musical director at the 2019 Chicago International Youth Musical Theater Camp. Yajie's commitment to contemporary classical music is highlighted through her co-founding role and music direction of the Pavilion Ensemble in London. In 2023, she served as the conducting fellow at the Cortona Sessions for New Music in Italy. Yajie's conducting portfolio encompasses a wide spectrum of repertoires and collaborations with esteemed ensembles such as NEW Sinfonia, the Royal Northern College of Music Orchestra, the Derbyshire City & County Youth Wind Band, the Cortona Sessions, and the Royal Welsh College of Music Chamber Choir. Balancing dedication to both choral and orchestral domains, Yajie embodies a singer and conductor whose multifaceted talents and relentless pursuit of musical excellence define her artistic journey.