Six rising Welsh stars to become Cultural International Ambassadors for the Urdd and Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama

From Urdd Gobaith Cymru: 

Today Urdd Gobaith Cymru along with the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) announced a new partnership to offer life-changing opportunities for some of Wales’s most promising artistic talents.

This week at the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Maldwyn 2024 six young performers between 18 and 25 will be selected from all individual under 25 competitions to become Young Cultural International Ambassadors for the Urdd and RWCMD, gaining an invaluable mentoring programme to help progress and enrich their training in their chosen field.

This is a new programme following the success of the Urdd Bryn Terfel Scholarship for 20 years.

All six winners will receive masterclasses from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in its relevant disciplines. They will also be given an international opportunity by the Urdd to showcase their talent to a global audience at prestigious events during the year.

A team of adjudicators representing both organisations will be present at Eisteddfod yr Urdd to decide on the chosen six. The names will be announced live on S4C on Saturday 1 June.

Llio Maddocks, the Urdd’s Arts Director says: 'We are very proud at Eisteddfod yr Urdd to provide a national stage for our young performers, but now we are able to offer them a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform internationally and on a global stage.

'Through this new partnership with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, we’re committing to developing the talents of Wales’ young performers now and to the future.'

Helena Gaunt, Principal at the Royal Welsh College adds:

'It is a great honour to announce this partnership with the Urdd as part of our 75^th birthday, celebrations. The Urdd is fundamental to Welsh culture, providing opportunities to many young people and a creative platform through the Eisteddfod yr Urdd. Our partnership will allow us at RWCMD to connect more deeply with the Welsh language and with young Welsh speakers right across Wales, and to support exceptional talent within this community.'

Sir Bryn Terfel said: 'Offering the Urdd Bryn Terfel Scholarship has been a source of pride for me these past 20 years. As someone closely associated with the Urdd and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, I am delighted to support this new partnership. I strongly believe in the talents of future performers and look forward to following the development of the Arts Ambassadors through their mentoring sessions and international tours. I wish them all the best of luck.'