Brentwood International Music Competition

Since his debut as a soloist with the National Chamber Orchestra of Moldova at the age of 15, Grig has performed as a soloist with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, the King’s Chamber Orchestra, the National Chamber Orchestra, the National Philharmonic and the National Youth Orchestras of Moldova. He has given recitals and chamber concerts across the UK, Russia, Europe, Central America and the Middle East and performed solo in halls including Cadogan Hall in London, Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Murmansk Philharmonic in Russia and Christ Church in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Besides performing as a violinist, Grig Cuciuc has appeared as a conductor with orchestras in the UK and Italy and regularly directs the King’s Chamber Orchestra. Other collaborations include recording and performing with Emmy-nominated experimental composer Robert Logan and recording solo violin for award-winning film director Alex Gibney.

Much in demand as an educator, Grig has given masterclasses in the UK, Europe and Central America and is currently the Artistic Director of the Specialist Music Programme at Brentwood School, where he has been instrumental in establishing the Brentwood International Music Competition. Previously, he taught at Junior Guildhall and Whitgift School, where he helped develop the Whitgift International Music Competition.

During his musical studies in London, Grig was awarded the DipRAM prize for an outstanding final recital at the Royal Academy of Music, where he completed his MA with distinction on full scholarship, having previously earned his Bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours from the Royal College of Music. In his development, Grig has benefited from the Auer, Galamian, Ysaye and Yankelevich traditions, learning from esteemed pedagogues such as Maciej Rakowski, Anne Shih, Clio Gould, Remus Azoitei and Taras Gabora. Grig plays on a fine Nicolo Gagliano violin, made in Naples in 1780.

A renowned piano pedagogue, with many international competition prize-winners amongst her students, Vanessa has been Head of Keyboard at the Royal College of Music since 2005. Awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Music in 2010, an honour conferred on her by HRH the Prince of Wales, in September 2011, she was granted a Personal Chair at the RCM, which gave her the title of Chair of International Keyboard Studies. As an extension of her keyboard faculty work, Vanessa was appointed as the Associate Director for Partnerships in Asia, which involves managing the RCM’s collaborative work in China and the RCM’s degree programmes at Nangyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore. Vanessa was previously a professor of piano at the Royal Academy of Music for 14 years, where she was made an Honorary Associate in 1997.

After studying at the Royal College of Music with Kendall Taylor and completing her training in the USA and Paris with Claude Franck and Vlado Perlemuter, Vanessa was awarded many scholarships and prizes from international piano competitions. Her concert career has taken her to Europe, the USA and the Far East, as well as many festivals within the UK. Vanessa’s interest in Bach led to a performance of the complete 48 Preludes and Fugues at the Lichfield International Festival in 1992, the performances being given over four consecutive evenings. She has performed as a soloist with international orchestras and those in the UK, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, and BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra, working with many leading conductors. She is a Steinway Artist and has broadcast for over 30 years for BBC Radio 3 and has also broadcast extensively on the BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4. To celebrate Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday in 2018, Vanessa appeared on BBC 2’s documentary on the Queen, Prince Albert and Felix Mendelssohn with Lucy Worsley, which was filmed in Buckingham Palace.

Vanessa is Artistic Director of Hastings International Piano, in which capacity she chairs the jury for HIPCC and oversees the artistic programme for HIP concerts. She has been a juror and jury chair for numerous other international competitions in China, Poland, Russia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Italy, New Zealand, USA, Singapore and Hong Kong and has adjudicated the national keyboard final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year. In 2007, she was an advisor to the BBC TV programme ‘Classical Star’.

As an advisor to Lang Lang Music World in Shenzhen, China, from its inception, Vanessa has always demonstrated a passion for supporting young musicians worldwide. She now holds the honour of being Artistic Advisor to the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. Vanessa frequently travels to give masterclasses to such institutions as Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Beijing Central Conservatory, China Conservatory, Tokyo College of Music, Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory, Seoul National University, Piano Texas, Oxford Piano Festival, as well as to other UK conservatoires and specialist music schools and international summer schools.

Representing the professoriate, Vanessa has served four terms of office on the Council, the RCM’s Governing body. As a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, in January 2023 she was elected to the WCoM Court as a Court Assistant. She is a member of the editorial board of Classical Music Magazine and Director of the Eileen Rowe Musical Trust. She has contributed to the RCM’s publication, Inside the Conservatoire, published in 2025.

Colin Lawson is one of the world’s leading period clarinettists, recognised internationally for his performances, scholarship and leadership in historical performance. He has played principal clarinet with many of Britain’s foremost period orchestras, including The Hanover Band, The English Concert and the London Classical Players, touring and recording extensively.

Praised as ‘a brilliant, absolutely world-class player’ and ‘the doyen of period clarinettists’, he has appeared as a soloist in major international venues such as London’s leading concert halls and New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

His discography includes concertos by Mozart, Weber, Vivaldi, Telemann, Spohr, Fasch and others, as well as a wide range of chamber music. His recording of Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet with members of The Revolutionary Drawing Room reached the top 20 in the Classical Charts in 2012. He has also published widely on the history of the clarinet and historical performance, contributing scholarly works with Cambridge University Press.

Colin Lawson served as Director of the Royal College of Music from 2005 to 2024 and was appointed Vice President in 2024.

Gerard Le Feuvre is an outstanding British cellist, chamber musician, composer, and Director of the Kings Chamber Orchestra. He studied on scholarships at Charterhouse, the RAM (Florence Hooton), Banff (Canada), the US (Aldo Parisot), and in Finland with Arto Noras, as well as in masterclasses with Paul Tortelier. During his student years as principal cellist of the NYO, he was awarded the Lloyd’s Bank National Award for “outstanding musicianship and musical attainment,” gained first prize (CBS Records Award) in the Royal Society of Arts National Competition, and was awarded a public performance at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, where he was described in the international press as “a cellist of the highest class.”

Gerard went on, as a member of the English String Quartet led by Diana Cummings, to be Director of Education for the London Festival of Chamber Music, performing over several years the greatest chamber works with many of today’s leading chamber musicians. In 1985, Gerard founded the Kings Chamber Orchestra, and nearly 40 years later, he has directed over 800 of their concerts, pioneering new audiences in the UK and across the world. As a soloist, Gerard has given over 500 recitals with British pianist Nigel Clayton and performed concertos in Europe, the UK, and North America to critical acclaim.

His many compositions have been wonderfully received, and in 2007, his largest symphonic work The Rock, for a vast orchestra, choirs, and additional bands, was performed on his home island of Jersey to their largest-ever audience of 8,000. His works for narrator and orchestra have received scores of performances.

Gerard has a special interest in music for reconciliation and has initiated a number of projects for Ukraine, for Channel Island friendship with Germany after their occupation in WWII, and undertaken many other musical diplomatic missions for peace.

In 2000, Gerard was awarded an Honorary ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his “outstanding contribution to the music profession.”

International press and reviews:
“A master of his instrument.”
“Outstanding musical, artistic, instrumental, and human qualities.”

Rosie’s vast experience as a performer, teacher, examiner and presenter, teamed with an innate love of music, underpins her unstoppable drive as a dedicated campaigner for music in education.

Her natural ability to captivate audiences and inspire young musicians to achieve their dreams stems from an unquestionable belief that music can change lives.

Rosie studied oboe with Michael Winfield at the Royal College of Music achieving an Exhibition Award in her first year. She went on to study at Durham University and gained a PGCE in 1996.

As an experienced adjudicator member of The British and International Federation of Festivals, Rosie is regularly called upon to adjudicate in the UK and abroad and has forged long-standing links with specialist music schools in Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Venezuela, Costa Rica,Dominican Republic, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Her positive, interactive adjudicating style inducing young musicians to participate, year on year.

As Director of Music at Whitgift School, Rosie devised numerous educational projects and regularly presented interactive concerts and masterclasses to thousands of primary school pupils.n Instrumental in developing the Whitgift International Music Competition in 2013, she continues to support and mentor young musicians hoping for a career in the profession. As an International Consultant, Rosie has worked with numerous families to assist them in finding the perfect UK school and applying for Music Scholarships and funding.

Rosie was appointed as Head of Junior Guildhall in January 2020.

Andrew Bernardi has become established as one of the UK’s leading violinists, festival directors, string educationalists and music entrepreneurs. A champion of charitable causes and a dedicated ambassador of music’s power to change lives, he promotes the transformative nature of performance across the world, working with consulates, businesses and charities. In 2019 he was listed as one of the “100 inspirational and remarkable people in Sussex” by ETC Magazine.

Andrew attended The Skinners’ School and graduated with a degree in music from Leeds University before studying violin performance with John Ludlow, Hugh Bean CBE, Francis Mason and with the support of the late Lord Yehudi Menuhin. He won the Lebel postgraduate scholarship to study at Trinity College of Music where he led all the orchestras.

He formed the Bernardi Music Group in 1991 whilst also performing with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic and Guildford Philharmonic. His vision was to bring together a professional group of musicians committed to inspiring young and older members of a community to come together to share music and support charitable causes.

In 2000, Andrew and the Bernardi Music Group formed the Shipley Arts Festival which has developed into a significant event in the county’s cultural calendar, bringing world-class music to rural West Sussex and embedding its activities in the local community.

For twenty years, Andrew has served as a Tutor at Trinity Laban with many of his former pupils now in leading positions within the music profession. He has performed with artists as diverse as the late Jon Lord of Deep Purple, John Rutter CBE, Rick Wakeman, the late Natalie Cole, and Gordon Giltrap and has played on TV and film soundtracks, including cameo appearances in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Nanny McPhee, The Talented Mr Ripley and Pride and Prejudice. He has regularly performed on national television in China, including on Phoenix TV to an audience of over 40 million. Andrew continues a 25 year relationship with Raymond Gubbay Ltd, having performed over one thousand concerts in the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican and Lucerne Concert Hall.

Andrew performs on the 1696 Amici Bernardi Stradivarius and a Voirin bow formerly owned by the late Lord Menuhin. Outside of music, Andrew’s other great passions are sailing, architecture, and racing classic performance automobiles at the Goodwood Motor Circuit.

Ivo is an acclaimed violinist and graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with Erich Gruenberg and received chamber coaching from members of the Amadeus Quartet. He has appeared on major television networks and has been awarded the Silver Medal by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Golden Sign Medal of King Simeon by the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture.

Now based in the UK, Ivo is a leading ambassador for Bulgarian culture. He founded the London Festival of Bulgarian Culture and has premiered works by composers such as Grammy-nominated Dobrinka Tabakova with the English Chamber Orchestra and the London Mozart Players. His solo career has taken him across Europe, the USA and South America, performing with orchestras such as the Camerata Royal Concertgebouw and the Sofia Philharmonic, and at major UK venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Barbican, Cadogan Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Wigmore Hall and the Southbank Centre.

His acclaimed recordings include Mendelssohn’s Double Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, praised for its “dazzling virtuosity” and a five-star album of Beethoven Violin Sonatas. A versatile artist, Ivo has collaborated with Sir Cliff Richard, Mark Knopfler, and the late Jóhann Jóhannsson, and has performed chamber music with the Chilingirian Quartet and leading soloists including Svetlin Roussev, Ashley Wass, Guy Johnston and Stefan Popov.

John Patrick Lionel, Baron Petre is the 18th Baron Petre, which was bestowed on his ancestor, Sir William Petre, Secretary of State to four Tudor Monarchs in 1540.

Educated at Eton and Trinity College, Oxford, he served as HM Lord Lieutenant for Essex for over 14 years and was awarded Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

Lord Petre manages his family’s 3,000-acre estate, including Ingatestone Hall, farmland, woodland and residential properties, and holds the title Lord of the Manor of 17 local manors.

Previously, he worked in management of a number of London theatres in a variety of capacities, including as General Manager of Hampstead Theatre Club.

He has held roles including Chairman of the St John Council, Essex, and Chairman of the Essex Branch of the Country Landowners and Business Association.

Martin James Bartlett (OB) is an internationally acclaimed pianist known for his fearless technique, musical maturity and elegant performances. Winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year 2014, he has performed at prestigious venues including Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw, Kennedy Center and major international festivals.

An exclusive artist with Warner Classics, Bartlett’s recordings have received five-star reviews and widespread critical acclaim. He has performed with leading orchestras across the UK, Europe and the USA, and continues to inspire audiences with his dynamic solo, concerto and chamber performances.

In 2022, he was the inaugural recipient of the Prix Serdang Swiss Piano Prize, recognising young pianists forging international careers.

Martin, a former Brentwood School student, went on to study at the Royal College of Music, graduating with top honours, and received the Queen Mother Rosebowl from HRH The Prince of Wales to honour his exceptional musical achievement.

Bartlett now serves as Assistant Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music.

Chris Moore is a baritone singer and member of the Grammy-nominated internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble VOCES8. Touring globally, the group performs an extensive repertoire both in its a cappella concerts and in collaborations with leading orchestras, conductors and soloists.

Chris’ love of singing began at Brentwood School and as a chorister in his local church choir. Following Brentwood, Chris studied at the University of Cambridge, where he read music and sang in Trinity College Choir under Stephen Layton.

In addition to singing, Chris enjoys conducting and composing, and when not on stage, he can often be found exploring the outdoors, looking at trains or cooking.

Pianist and conductor, Ivan Yanakov has performed in over 30 countries across Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America, appearing at major venues including Carnegie Hall’s Recital Hall in New York, Cadogan Hall in London, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Sydney Town Hall, Sapporo Concert Hall, Taiwan National Concert Hall, and Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre. A regular guest at international festivals, he is recognised for his expressive interpretations and versatile repertoire.

His recordings are available worldwide on over 120 digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer, and YouTube Music. His new recording of Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra was released in February 2026.

Born in Sofia, Yanakov studied at New York’s Mannes College of Music, where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and continued as a full-scholarship fellow at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. A recipient of the Artists International Debut Series Prize at Carnegie Hall, he later founded the London Chamber Players and made his conducting debut with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

Yanakov’s media appearances include live broadcasts from the Los Angeles Museum of Art, Hong Kong’s RTHK radio, Pearl TV, and national radio in France, Italy, and Spain. As a dedicated educator, he gives masterclasses at leading institutions such as the Birmingham Conservatoire and serves as a juror at international competitions, most recently presiding as jury president at the Russian Piano Music Competition in Sanremo.

One of his current projects, The Four Pianists, unites classical and jazz virtuosos in innovative collaborations, with a recent sold-out performance at London’s Cadogan Hall.

With a combination of technical mastery, interpretative insight, and a collaborative spirit, Ivan Yanakov continues to make a distinctive contribution to the international classical music scene.