London Young Musician International Music Competition

2026-2027 Season 1 London Young Musician International Music Competition

About Us

Welcome Message from the UK

The London Young Musician (LYM) is an international online competition open to musicians under the age of 18 from all countries. It welcomes all instruments, voices, compositions, and ensembles, offering a truly inclusive platform for young talent from around the globe. LYM seeks musicians who demonstrate not only excellent technical skills, but also a strong artistic personality and creativity in their performances. With its blend of excellence, education, and innovation, London Young Musician provides a global stage for young artists, empowering them to shine, grow, and share their music with the world.

About LYM

London Young Musician (LYM) is an international online music competition for musicians under the age of 18 from all countries. The competition looks for talented musicians who have excellent musical skills, a strong personality, and fantastic creativity in their video performance.

LYM opens to all instruments, voices, compositions, and ensembles. It has a unique competition system designed by world-class education specialists, which provides professional pathways and resources for musicians to build higher musical skills. Established to honor the legacy of Antonio Vivaldi, our online competition has successfully held 18 seasons, four seasons a year, and it celebrates musical talent worldwide. Each season attracts hundreds of participants from over 30 countries.

Our Mission

Our mission is to create a fair and just platform where young musicians can receive valuable feedback, grow in their craft, and gain the recognition they truly deserve.

Why LYM

Flexible & Accessible Format

Compete from anywhere—no need to travel, as submissions are online. Choose multiple categories to increase your chances of winning and showcase different aspects of your musicianship.

Open to All Styles & Levels

Whether you perform classical, jazz, film music, or experimental styles, there’s a category for you. Open to instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, conductors, and ensembles, making it inclusive and diverse

Prestigious Awards & Titles

Earn exclusive competition titles that showcase your achievements in your category. Gain official distinctions to boost your resumes, portfolios, and professional credibility.

Exposure & Career Development

Gain valuable credentials that help with applications for schools, and professional opportunities. Gain feedback on your performances from outstanding judges.

Certificates and Trophy Sample

All candidates will receive an e-certificate and a performance report from adjudicators (digital format). Platinum winners will also receive trophies.

INTERNATIONAL JURY MEMBERS

Prof Nigel Clayton

Classical Pianist Professor at Royal College of Music Visiting Professor at Scotland Music School Appears Regularly on the BBC's Radio Network and Wigmore Hall etc

Prof Anna Noakes

Flutist Professor at Royal Academy of Music Broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM Guest Principal Flute with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra London Philharmonic Orchestra etc.

Prof Gina Mccormack

Professor at Royal Northern College of Music Professor at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Frequently Give International Masterclass Association with the London Chamber Orchestra

Harry Nowakowski-Fox

Steinway Artist and Concert Pianist Recording Artist and Educator Co-founders of Piano and Strings Tutors London

Ugne Tiskute

Violist of Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Visiting Teacher at Royal Academy of Music Guest Conductor and the Soloist at the International Avanti Festival

Alisa Liubarskaya

Cellist of Southbank Sinfonia Covent Garden Soloist Chamber Musician and Recording Artist Guest Cellist at the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Phillip Leslie

Park Lane Group Artist Concert Pianist and Educator Regularly Performs at International Concert Venues including London’s Southbank Centre

Sam Rodwell

Concert Classical Guitarist, Associate Guitar Teacher at Royal Northern College of Music Guest Guitarist of Sky Arts Television

Henry Hargreaves

Cellist and Educator, Performed in London Symphony Orchestra Principal Cello at Academy Symphony Orchestra, ERSO Cello and Orchestra Tutor at the Youth Music Centre in North London

Categories

*Candidates can choose either or both Age-Performance Categories or Theme-Performance Categories to apply


Age-Performance Categories

Age Categor Length Repertoire Requirements
Young Talent (age 6) less than 5 minutes Free choice of the piece(s)
Young Talent (ages 7-8) less than 6 minutes
Young Talent (ages 9-10) less than 7 minutes
Young Artist (ages 11-12) less than 10 minutes
Young Artist (ages 13-15) less than 12 minutes
Young Master (ages 16-18) less than 15 minutes


Theme-Performance Categories

Theme Categor Repertoire Length Age
Baroque Period Music Choose ONE piece or ONE movement belonging to a particular musical period/style Age Categories
Talent (ages 6-10)
Artist (ages 11-15)
Master (ages 16-18)
Classical Period Music
Romantic Period Music
20th - 21st Century Music
Etude/Study
Sonata/Sonatina
Traditional/World Music
British Composition (*Music composed by British composer)
Original Composition (*Music composed by candidate)
Chamber Music (*Including duet)
Concerto (*Performed with orchestra, or piano)

Awards & Submissions

Awards & Prizes

All candidates will receive a certificate and a performance report from adjudicators (digital format). The jury members will award prizes via online video. Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Prizes may be awarded in each category according to the jury's marks. Special prizes may also be awarded to candidates who showcase a unique aspect of themselves in their video performance. Platinum winners will also receive trophies.。

LYM recognizes excellence through prestigious titles and honors, based on final scores:

  • Platinum Prize Winner – 96-100 points
  • Gold Prize Winner – 90-95 points
  • Silver Prize Winner – 85-89 points
  • Bronze Prize Winner – 80-84 points
  • Participants scoring below 80 points will receive an e-certificate of participation

*There can be multiple winners at each level in each category. Winners will receive e-certificate and feedback.

Video Requirements

  1. Competitions do not require speaking introduction for the video, previous videos in 2025 are accepted.
  2. Candidates can submit separate videos for different pieces.
  3. The hands and face of the candidates must be clearly visible, excluding the Original Composition.
  4. Candidates can choose to enter into more than one category if they wish. The video must contain the exact pieces for the chosen category. Submitting a long video and specifically ask to use only a part of it for the competition is not accepted.
  5. Jury members will only watch and make judgement exclusively upon the video received for the competition.
  6. When submitting the video file, files should be renamed to Name_Category. For example John Smith_Young Talent, age 6.


Camera angle sample


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Impressions

H&M Piano Duo, MALWINA, HANNA 24-25 Season 1 Platinum Prize Winner
" We are very grateful and honoured to receive the platinum prize in the London Young Musician competition. We hope you enjoy listening to our performance. "
Young Artist Voice Winner Zda Alezandra Sumbillo 25-26 Season 1 Silver Prize and the Characteristic Performance Special Prize
"I am truly honoured and deeply grateful to receive these awards, as they help me enhance my vocal abilities and showcase my talents. Thank you once again, London Young Musician! I look forward to participating in future seasons."
Natália Dias Sette Camara 24-25 Season 1 Gold Prize Winner
"I would like to thank the London Young Musician Music Competition for giving me the opportunity to present my music to the world. This competition gives peoplethe opportunity to write, compose music, and explore other instruments. They encourage people to develop their skills with this competition. "
Clarinettist KRISH RELAN 23-24 S1 S2 S3 S4 Gold Prize & Fantastic Technique Special Prize
"I have been a musician all my life playing piano and clarinet. LYM earned me The 'Clarinetist of the year' award in 2023. I was also recognized as the 2nd best musician in the world in 2023 and 2024. I am very thankful to LYM for giving me an opportunity to play some beautiful pieces for audiences around the world. Music brings peace and harmony in between my extensive academic life."

Application

Timeline

Application & Entry Materials Submission Deadline:
June 20, 2026

After payment done, candidates should submit the following materials to music@seedasdan.org by deadline:
Performance Video (send original video or video link), Sheet music (PDF file), portrait photo, and photo of valid identification document.

Results Announcement: July 10, 2026

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Contact us


Ms. Lin

North China：

18518177983

Beijing, Liaoning, Tianjin, Shandong, Shanxi, Hebei, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin


Ms. Wang

Midwest China：

13086600349

Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui, Jiangxi, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Xizang, Ningxia, Gansu


Ms. Gao

South China：

13530398268

Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Fujian, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR


Mr. Chen

East China：

16621598853

Shanghai, Jiangsu


Ms. Zhou

East China：

13061978106

Zhejiang