Vocalist crowned PwC Jersey Young Musician of the Year 2026

Organised by Jersey Music Service and sponsored by long-term supporter PwC, the competition, in its 34th year, incorporated the well-established sectional competitions for strings, woodwind, piano, brass, voice and percussion. The event provided young musicians in Jersey with valuable performance and competition opportunities, and many previous finalists have gone on to pursue successful careers in music.

To reach the final, the young musicians had already competed in – and won – their respective heats against other instrumentalists and vocalists in their sections. The heat winners then went head-to-head at the resplendent Jersey Opera House, producing an impressive array of timbres, musical styles and genres. Each musician performed a short programme of music of their choice, and the finalist who gave the most expressive and technically accomplished performance of their chosen repertoire was crowned the PwC Jersey Young Musician of the Year 2026.

The finalists were:

• Wendy Falla Piano Heat – Piano: Amelia Weber (piano)
• Dorothy Chapman String Heat: Prutha Tejpal (violin)
• Jersey Premier Brass – Brass Heat: Filip Swoboda (tuba)
• The Band of the Island of Jersey Percussion Heat: Oliver Hutton (percussion)
• Island Music Woodwind Heat: Dante Chain Lopez (tenor saxophone)
• Jersey Vocal Trust – Vocal Heat: Rubie Le Masurier (vocal)

After an outstanding evening of performances, the winner of the PwC Jersey Young Musician of the Year Competition 2026 was announced as vocalist Rubie Le Masurier.

The evening, a firm favourite in the Island’s annual performing arts calendar, was adjudicated by Nicholas Oliver, Assistant Principal at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, where he is also a principal study piano tutor and Head of Piano Accompaniment. In addition, there was a featured performance from vocalist Savanna Vogt, last year’s winner.

The winner, Rubie Le Masurier, was awarded the coveted trophy, along with a prize of £1,000 presented by PwC in support of her ongoing music studies. In addition, the Jersey Symphony Orchestra (JSO) Award was presented to Filip Swoboda on tuba, whose performance demonstrated the potential to benefit from a structured programme of participation with the JSO over the following 12 months.

At the final, the category winners of the PwC Jersey Junior Musician of the Year Competition were also presented with their trophies, having won their respective categories on 7 and 8 February 2026. This year’s PwC Jersey Junior Musician of the Year Winners 2026 are:

• Island Music Woodwind Competition: Bobbi Billington (Flute)
• Jersey Premier Brass – Brass Competition: Philip de la Haye (Trumpet)
• Dorothy Chapman String Competition: Amalia Overland (Violin)
• Wendy Falla Piano Competition: Rosanna MacAdie
• Jersey Vocal Trust – Vocal Competition: Evie Chandlen

Paul Silcock, Director at PwC, commented: ‘As long-term sponsor of the PwC Jersey Young Musician of the Year competition, it’s fantastic to see year-on-year the wealth of musical talent in our local community.

“This competition really showcases the very best of Jersey’s young, gifted and disciplined musicians. Those that have made it to the final should be extremely proud of their achievements and we wish them the best of luck for with their future musical careers.”