EIF appoints new heads of music programme and artistic management

Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) has today announced the appointment of new heads of music programme and artistic management. Nicolas Zekulin will succeed Andrew Moore, leading on EIF’s music programming, while Paul Sharp will head up artistic management, taking over from Jill Jones.

Having moved to the UK from Canada, Zekulin has worked with Scottish arts organisations including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Opera and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. As well as managing the chamber music collective Hebrides Ensemble, Zekulin also held the role of chief executive and artistic director with National Youth Orchestra of Scotland which is set to appear in this year’s edition of EIF.

Zekulin said: ‘I have always been hugely inspired by the artistic excellence and city-wide cultural curiosity that the International Festival brings to Edinburgh every year. I’m really excited to work with festival director Nicola Benedetti and the Festival’s outstanding team going forward through August and onwards to many more Festivals to come.’

Also, joining EIF’s team is Paul Sharp, who joins as head of artistic management from his former role as director of licensing at Directors UK where he represented the rights of UK screen directors. Having started his career as a professional double bassist, Sharp’s experience also includes a decade as contracts manager with the Royal Opera House.

Sharp said: ‘I am delighted to be joining the Edinburgh International Festival and to work alongside the team in delivering and celebrating some of the world’s most exciting talent and artistic programming. I’m already so impressed by the Festival’s ability to look inwards as well as outwards, putting its audience at the core of what it does, seeking deeper connections and remaining committed to an international outlook.’

The 2024 Festival takes place from 2-25 August, more details can be found here.