BBC Radio 3 announces 2022 New Generation Artists

Florence Lockheart
Wednesday, June 1, 2022

The scheme's incoming artists, hailing from across the globe, will start the scheme in September this year

Clockwise from top left: Fergus McCreadie, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Hugh Cutting, Geneva Lewis, Ryan Corbett, Santiago Cañón-Valencia and Leonkoro Quartet
Clockwise from top left: Fergus McCreadie, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Hugh Cutting, Geneva Lewis, Ryan Corbett, Santiago Cañón-Valencia and Leonkoro Quartet

BBC Radio 3 has announced the performers joining its New Generation Artists talent development scheme in September 2022

Colombian cellist Santiago Cañón-Valencia, Berlin-based Leonkoro Quartet, New Zealand-born violinist Geneva Lewis, Scottish jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie, and South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha will all join the sceme from 2022-2024.

For the first time in its history the New Generation Artists scheme will also include an accordionist, Ryan Corbett from Scotland, and a countertenor, Hugh Cutting from England. Corbett said: ‘I’m delighted to have been selected as a BBC New Generation Artist, it’s an amazing opportunity to bring the instrument and its music to new audiences across the country.’

BBC Radio 3 controller Alan Davey, said: ‘This year, we are particularly proud that the New Generation Artists joining the scheme showcase a variety of instruments and voices and come from many corners of the world. This means that our audiences can experience and discover a variety of music by encountering these inspiring young performers.’

The newly announced artists will remain on the scheme until December 2024. They will therefore overlap with New Generation Artists who have been on the scheme since 2021. You can find a full list of these artists here.

Launched in 1999, the New Generation Artists scheme supports young, early career musicians with UK-wide performance opportunities and broadcasts on Radio 3. Cañón-Valencia commented: ‘The collaborations with great orchestras, very important festivals and venues, along with the chance of meeting other fellow NGA artists and making music together are all such amazing opportunities that I am looking forward to.’

You can find out more about the New Generation Artists scheme here.