Samling, the North East charity that supports young singers have just named the participants in this year’s prestigious Samling Artist scheme, and many of us in Durham are absolutely delighted to see soprano Rowan Pierce’s name on the list.

I’m sure Rowan will be known to many of my readers; she has delighted audiences in Durham and around the North East, singing oratorio solos with choirs, and in several Samling Opera  productions. She’s sung several times with Durham Singers, and returns to Durham Cathedral on Saturday 31st January as the soloist in Fauré’s Requiem with Durham Choral Society.

The Samling Artist programme nurtures young professional singers and accompanists at the start of their careers, offering them intensive week-long training with leading singers, directors, actors, pianists and coaches, culminating in a public masterclass and concert at Sage Gateshead and a concert in London’s Wigmore Hall. You can see Rowan in action, being coached by Dame Ann Murray at this year’s Samling Masterclass on 27th Feburary.

Rowan is also the first member of the junior Samling Academy programme to become a Samling Artist. The Samling Academy was set up a few years ago to provide coaching and development to singers aged 16-21 who live or study in the North East, and with other Samling Academy members winning places at conservatoires across the country, we expect she’ll be the first of many.