Photo by Neil Harrison
CAMERATA IRELAND ACADEMY
The Camerata Ireland Academy is a young artist development programme founded by world-renowned pianist Barry Douglas to provide tuition and performance opportunities for Ireland and Northern Ireland’s most talented young musicians. It takes place each year in August during the Clandeboye Festival, in the Clandeboye Estate, Co. Down. Up to 12 exceptional young musicians are selected to attend, where they work with international guest artists in masterclasses and rehearsals and perform in the Young Musicians' Showcase. Full scholarships are available to attend, including tuition and full board, thanks to the generous support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Dufferin Foundation and private donations. Accommodation is on a shared basis in Dendron Lodge, Clandeboye Estate.
To date, over 250 talented young musicians have taken part in the Camerata Ireland Academy. It is a core remit of Camerata Ireland to support these young musicians as they progress in their careers, and many CI Academy alumni have gone on to perform with Camerata Ireland in concerts and on international tours, or have been invited to perform as soloists at the Clandeboye Festival. To view the full list of past young musicians, click here.
WHO CAN APPLY
Applications are welcome from advanced musicians aged 18-26 (28 for singers) who are from or living in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Applications are invited from the following instruments: piano, violin, viola, cello, woodwind (any instrument), brass (any instrument), voice. Please note that a maximum of 2 places will be available in each category.
HOW TO APPLY
The 2026 Clandeboye Festival will celebrate the remarkable success of the Camerata Ireland Academy, showcasing alumni from the past 25 years who are now pursuing international careers. As part of this special focus, we will not be welcoming a new cohort of young musicians in 2026. The CI Academy programme will resume in 2027.
If you would like to stay informed about the CI Academy and other opportunities for young musicians, please complete the expression of interest form below.
CAMERATA IRELAND ACADEMY 2025
12 young musicians took part in the 2025 Camerata Ireland Academy. Congratulations to Kseniia Yershova (viola) who won the Flax Trust Bursary, and to Peter Ryan (violin) who won the Audience Prize, sponsored by the Dufferin Foundation.
CAMERATA IRELAND ACADEMY 2024
12 young musicians took part in the 2024 Camerata Ireland Academy. We were delighted that the CI Academy was featured on UTV life - you can watch it back here from 7'23".
Congratulations to Rachel Nolan (flute) who won the Flax Trust Bursary, and to Luke Lally Maguire (piano) and Anna Gregg (soprano) who jointly won the Audience Prize, sponsored by the Dufferin Foundation. Rachel also gave the BMS/CI Academy recital at the Belfast Music Society International Festival of Chamber music in February 2025.
Photos by Neil Harrison
CAMERATA IRELAND ACADEMY 2023
11 musicians took part in the 2023 Camerata Ireland Academy. The joint recipients of the Flax Trust Bursary were Sinéad Walsh (flute) and Jack Myles (trombone). Jamie Howe (viola) received the Audience Prize, supported by the Dufferin Foundation. Jane Sullivan (oboe) subsequently joined Camerata Ireland for a performance in the Clandeboye Festival, as well as their 2024 US Tour. Jamie Howe (viola) gave the BMS/CI Academy recital at the Belfast Music Society International Festival of Chamber Music in February 2024, and has since joined the orchestra at the Clandeboye Festival and for their 2024 China Tour.
Photos by Neil Harrison
