Musicians can benefit hugely from time spent studying abroad, seeking fresh perspectives and drawing inspiration from different cultures. The RPS offers students the life-changing opportunity to study abroad, be it to take lessons from a specialist based overseas or to fulfil a course at an international music school or university. Musicians who have previously benefitted include the celebrated pianist Sir Stephen Hough when he was just 19, enabling him to study at The Juilliard School in New York, and Imogen Whitehead, now Principal Trumpet of Britten Sinfonia, who travelled to Oslo for an intensive spell of lessons and masterclasses with Norway’s top players.

This is made possible thanks to the RPS Isserlis Scholarship with funds generously bequeathed to the RPS by Cecilia Helen Northcote some decades ago. At her wish, the scholarship is dedicated to the inspirational Russian pianist, composer and teacher Julius Isserlis.

Amongst this year’s recipients is pianist Bridget Yee, who will use the scholarship to fund lessons in Paris with her mentor Michel Beroff. Bridget says ‘I have chosen to study abroad because I believe that developing as an artist requires exposure to different musical traditions, cultures and ways of thinking. During this period, I hope to deepen my artistic independence, and refine my approach to sound, colour and interpretation. I want to use this opportunity to develop a stronger and more individual artistic voice, and to bring what I learn into my performances across the UK and internationally.’ 

This year’s recipients are as follows. Click on each name to find out more about their musical experience and to find out more about how RPS is helping them study abroad.

Bridget Yee to study piano with Michel Beroff in Paris
George Winter to study trombone at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen
Jaren Ziegler to study viola at the Kronberg Academy in Germany
Nina Martin to study saxophone and composition at the Grieg Academy in Bergen, Norway
Olivia Clark to attend the HarpMasters Summer Academy in Italy
Sophia Kannathasan to study violin with Heime Müller in Lübeck, Germany

We will re-open applications for the 2027 RPS Isserlis Scholarships in late November. Please check our website for more details and follow us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn for updates. 

The Royal Philharmonic Society – a registered charity – has been at the heart of music for over 200 years, creating opportunities for musicians to excel, and championing the vital role that music plays in all our lives.

Through our programme of grants, commissions, professional development and performance opportunities, we help many performers and composers overcome barriers to progress and fulfil their potential. Through the annual RPS Awards – described by The Sunday Times as ‘the biggest night in UK classical music’ – we celebrate musical accomplishments UK-wide and tell a vital story of what music-makers do for the benefit of others. Through RPS Membership and our new talks and events, we aim to cultivate greater pride and curiosity in classical music. Through all our endeavours, we are dedicated to proving classical music’s rightful and powerful place in society.

To discover more about how you can join our cause, click here.