The BBC has announced that violinist Esther Yoo will be a Radio 3 New Generation Artist from 2014 to 2016.

The prestigious scheme gives promising young musicians a platform for their talent in London and around the UK, including concerts and recordings with the BBC orchestras and appearances at the BBC Proms. Former NGA’s include Esther’s fellow violinists Lisa Batiashvili and Janine Jansen. 

The news coincides with the 20-year old American-Korean violinist’s Latin American debut, as part of a seven-concert tour with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Vladimir Ashkenazy. She made her London concerto debut with the same orchestra in March 2014 under the late Lorin Maazel. Other recent performances include concerts with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia and Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife. 

Based in Brussels, Esther is one of the youngest-ever prize winners at both the Sibelius and Queen Elisabeth violin competitions. She will return to the UK in November to perform Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1 with the Hallé, followed by Sibelius’ Violin Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra in December.