2018 City Music Foundation Artists

Friday 21 September 2018

Two RCM alumni have been selected as 2018 City Music Foundation Artists following a rigorous and competitive audition process.

Cellist Ariana Kashefi and violinist Emily Sun have been chosen to join the prestigious City Music Foundation (CMF) Artist Programme, through which they will receive expert advice, guidance and support to help them to build successful careers in music. As well as undertaking a series of workshops and mentoring sessions across core business areas, Ariana and Emily will work with industry leaders to develop and implement a bespoke project based on their own artistic and professional needs.

Ariana Kashefi studied with Melissa Phelps at the RCM before going on to complete her studies at the Hochschule für Musik ‘Hanns Eisler’ and Barenboim-Said Academy, supported by the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Julius Isserlis Scholarship. She has a diverse and busy portfolio career as a soloist and chamber musician and has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. 

Australian Emily Sun moved to London in 2011 to study with Itzhak Rashkovsky at the RCM. Already enjoying a successful international career, Emily's performances have been broadcast on TV and radio in Australia, UK, USA and Israel. She was awarded the Gold Medal in the 2016 Royal Over-Seas League and 2017 Bromsgrove International competitions, and selected as Young Concert Artist for The Tillett Trust, Making Music UK and The Worshipful Company of Musicians.

Ariana and Emily join other recent CMF Artists who have graduated from the RCM, including pianist Joseph Houston and violinist Richard Jones. For more information about the CMF Artist Programme and this year’s recipients, visit the CMF website.