Entries are now open in the Young Performers Awards (YPA), Australia’s most prestigious competition for young classical instrumentalists.

The musician who claims the title of Young Performer of the Year proves themselves outstanding in all areas of musical performance, demonstrating high technical proficiency, an understanding of the repertoire and an appreciation of musical style. They also win the $50,000 Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust Scholarship, the $30,000 Sheila Walker Scholarship and are named the ABC Classic FM Artist in Residence.

The awards on offer in 2018 total over $170,000 in prizes including cash awards and performance opportunities.

Entrants are invited to enter via youngperformersawards.org before March 6th 2018, when a judging panel, led by Dene Olding AM, will select 12 Semi-Finalists. Digital video entry, included in the awards for the first time, will enable musicians from all around Australia to participate and will allow Australian musicians studying overseas to enter the Awards.

Semi-Finalists will perform in public recitals at Sydney’s City Recital Hall on July 16-17th. Three Finalists will then be chosen to perform at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on July 24th, with all concerts broadcast by ABC Classic FM.

Entrants must be aged under 30 by 31 December 2017 (there is no minimum age). The YPA have provided aspiring young musicians the opportunity to perform with Australia’s major orchestras for more than 70 years. Since their inception they have been a launchpad onto the international stage for acclaimed international musicians such as Roger Woodward, Simon Tedeschi, Claire Edwards, Amy Dickson and Tamara-Anna Cislowska.

For more information please visit: youngperformersawards.org or contact ypa@mostlyopera.org/02 9231 4293.