The winners of this year’s RNCM gold medal competition 2016 are James Girling (guitar), Tyler Hay (piano), Danny Ryan (composer), Abel Selaocoe (cello) and Andres Yauri (bassoon).
Pianist Philip Sharp was also highly commended by the panel.
The competition, which took place on 11 June, was judged by John Allison (editor of Opera magazine and Daily Telegraph critic), Dr Michelle Castelletti (RNCM artistic director), Professor Philip Grange (composer), Peter Donohoe (pianist) and Professor Linda Merrick (RNCM principal).
‘Each year the competition between students is extremely high and 2016 was no exception,’ said Professor Merrick. ‘The overall standard was absolutely exceptional and everyone who competed, especially the five winners, should be extremely proud of their achievement.’