Sofia Demetriades, 18, wins BBC Young Musician 2026

The Royal Academy of Music student won with Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, becoming the first violinist to take the title since Nicola Benedetti in 2004.

British violinist Sofia Demetriades has won BBC Young Musician 2026, following a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto at Bristol Beacon. The 18-year-old appeared with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Alpesh Chauhan, in the final broadcast on November 1.

Demetriades is the sixth violinist to win the competition since its foundation in 1978, and the first since Nicola Benedetti in 2004. She succeeds pianist Ryan Wang, the 2024 winner.

A student at the Royal Academy of Music

Originally from Leicestershire, Demetriades recently began her undergraduate studies at London’s Royal Academy of Music, where she studies with So-Ock Kim, having previously attended its Junior Department.

Her earlier achievements include first prizes at the Haslemere International String Competition and the Lipinski-Wieniawski International Violin Competition. She has performed as a soloist in the UK, continental Europe and Canada.

Three finalists

The other finalists were 17-year-old recorder player Alma Nunez Debretzeni and 18-year-old saxophonist Kezia Colton.

The jury comprised pianist and composer Joanna MacGregor, conductor Ben Gernon and composer Errollyn Wallen.

Demetriades receives a £3,000 prize towards her musical studies, alongside recording and broadcast opportunities on BBC Radio 3, including an engagement with a BBC ensemble.