Our Young Artists Scheme is unique in the UK. It offers the opportunity for emerging artists to rehearse in a professional environment and perform on a major London stage to a paying audience during our summer festival. The scheme also encourages participants to develop outreach and education skills through their involvement with our award-winning Inspire programme.
The Young Artists are generously supported by the Young Artist Circle and below individual sponsors.
Conductor Medb Brereton Hurley
supported by Daniel Angel, James Bergeron and Penny Ewles-Bergeron, and Dr Hilary Spencer and Geoff Dawson
Medb graduated from Trinity College Dublin and has been the studio conductor for many performances at the Irish National Opera. Medb was the Assistant Conductor on The Flying Dutchman at OHP in 2025.
Director Benjamin Newhouse-Smith
supported by an anonymous donor
Benjamin studied at Oxford University and the Royal Academy of Music and has directed for Opera Alegria, Bury Court Opera, Royal Academy Opera, and as assistant director for La traviata (2025), Tosca (2024) and Rigoletto (2023) at Opera Holland Park.
Répétiteur Yongqiu Yuan
supported by Sir David and Lady Emma Verey, and The OHP Volunteer Syndicate
Yongqiu holds a masters from the Royal Northern College of Music in Performance and Opera Studies, and specialised as a répétiteur at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. This is her OHP debut.
Fiordiligi Eleanor Oldfield
supported by Mr Stephen Ratcliffe, and The OHP Volunteer Syndicate
Eleanor studied at Guildhall School of Music & Drama and completed her masters in Performance. She was a Wild Arts Young Artist and has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra. This is her OHP debut.
Ferrando Edvard Adde
supported by an anonymous donor
Edvard studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is currently completing his masters at the Royal College of Music. He has performed with North Wales Opera Studio and St Paul’s Opera. This is his OHP debut.
Dorabella Aina Miyagi Magnell
supported by Judy and Stephen Kane, and Charles Mackay
Aina studied at Guildhall School of Music & Drama and was a 2025 Alvarez Emerging Artist at Garsington Opera. This is her OHP debut.
Guglielmo André Soares
supported by Mike and Devala Robinson, and Prue and David Ruback
André graduated from Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the Royal Welsh College of Music. He sang in the OHP Chorus in for Pagliacci (2024), La traviata (2025) and Lucia di Lammermoor (2025).
Don Alfonso Edward Birchinall
supported by Annmarie Mackay, Patti Taylor and Dr Ros Bacon, and The OHP Volunteer Syndicate
Edward studied at the University of Edinburgh and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and is a member of the Royal College of Music Opera Studio. This is his OHP debut.
Despina Juliet Montgomery
supported by John and Clare Grumbar, and an anonymous donor
Juliet studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and has performed across the UK for opera companies and in concert performances. She sang in the OHP Chorus for Carmen (2022), Les Noces (2023), La bohème (2023), Pagliacci (2024), The Yeomen of the Guard (2024), A Matter of Misconduct! (2025), and Lucia di Lammermoor (2025). She also covered the role of Annina in La traviata (2025).
