Three to look out for…

Euan Shields

Conductor

Born: Osaka, Japan Career highlight: Conducting Elgar’s Enigma Variations with the Hallé at the finals of the Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition was unforgettable – especially considering the orchestra’s rich history with the composer. Musical heroes: David Robertson has been so influential as my conducting mentor at the Juilliard School. He often quotes Robert Schumann: ‘There is no end to learning.’ Dream concert: I would love to conduct a concert in Osaka, so I can invite my grandparents. They supported me when I came to the US and encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a musician.

Sara Övinge Violinist

Born: Norrköping, Sweden Career highlight:

It’s difficult to choose from some very different experiences, but Patientia, my release on LAWO Classics, is a highlight. I’m so in love with the music and the amazing musicians I recorded it with.

Musical heroes: I’m a member of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, whose artistic director Pekka Kuusisto always blows my mind. His way of playing is open, clever, personal and humble. When in doubt, I ask, ‘What would Pekka do?’

Dream concert: I love putting together musicians from different backgrounds to create a ‘surprise’ concert where the audience can sit up close. If I had the means, I would do this all the time.

Jamie Woollard Bass

Born: London Career highlights:

Last March I performed in three new micro-operas for the Royal Opera House at St Pancras station. Performing so close to travellers in a busy station was challenging but rewarding.

Musical heroes: The Bulgarian bass Nicolai Ghiaurov is my hero for his vocal colour, technique and expression. I listen to his CDS on the way to gigs and sing along too loudly. Dream concert: I grew up in East Sussex, so to sing dream roles like Filippo in Verdi’s Don Carlos or John Claggart in Britten’s Peter Grimes at Glyndebourne, so close to home, would be very special.