This prize and the RPS-Duet Young Instrumentalist Prize ran for two years between 2016-2017.

Born in 2001, Adam Possener has been composing music of various genres for several years. He has studied with several notable composers including Robert Saxton, Christian Mason, Jonathan Woolgar and Frederick Viner. He is also a graduate of Aldeburgh Young Musicians at Snape Maltings where he studied with Anna Meredith, Charlotte Bray, Dobrinka Tabakova and John Woolrich.

Originally from Norfolk, and a keen pianist from a young age, Adam's musical life began after taking part in the 'Lang Lang Inspires' project, which culminated in a performance with celebrated pianist Lang Lang at the Royal Festival Hall. He studies viola with James Sleigh and plays in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

Adam's compositions have been performed at Snape Maltings, Kensington Town Hall and the World Piano Conference in Novi Sad, Serbia. They have also featured in productions of Pomona and Othello at Eton, and also in film as part of the Sound and Music Summer School. Adam enjoys writing music for friends, plays and film. He is a big fan of contemporary music including the work of Steve Martland, Louis Andriessen and Howard Skempton.

In 2018, Adam's RPS commission 'And there is nothing new beneath the sun...' was performed by Ensemble 10:10 and conductor Clark Rundell at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.