We are thrilled to announce the successful culmination of the 2025-26 season of the Classeek Open Application. Before we do, we’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the multitude of talented musicians who applied this season. The sheer volume and impressive calibre of applications made the jury's task very challenging, a testament to the vibrant and exceptional talent within the young classical music community.

In light of the truly outstanding pool of candidates, we are immensely pleased to announce that we have decided to welcome five instrumentalists to next year's Ambassador Programme. This expansion reflects the extraordinary level of artistry encountered during the rigorous selection process. We’re also happy to welcome a composer to our new season, continuing our commitment to nurturing new compositional voices.

So, allow us to introduce the 2025-26 Classeek Ambassador Programme cohort:

• Diana Adamyan, violinist
• Leonhard Baumgartner, violinist
• Elmina Hasan, mezzo-soprano
• Benjamin Kruithof, cellist
• Anthony Ratinov, pianist
• Kian Ravaei, composer
• Benett Tsai, cellist

Meet the remarkable artists joining us next season

Diana Adamyan (violin)

© Pargev Ejuryan

Born in Yerevan in 2000, Diana Adamyan is a highly acclaimed violinist, renowned for winning the 2018 Menuhin Competition and the 2020 Khachaturian International Competition. She has performed globally with leading orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Diana completed her studies with Prof. Petros Haykazyan and Prof. Ana Chumachenco, and has received mentorship from Pinchas Zukerman and Leonidas Kavakos. She performs on a Nicolò Gagliano violin from 1760, on loan from the Henri Moerel Foundation.

Leonhard Baumgartner (violin)

© Julia Wesely / Andrej Grilc / NRK

Born in Vienna in 2007, Leonhard Baumgartner is a prodigious violinist and a major prizewinner of prestigious competitions, including the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition and the Eurovision Young Musicians Competition. He made his debut with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15 and has already recorded for Deutsche Grammophon. Leonhard studies at the Universities for Music Vienna and Munich, with his studies supported by a scholarship and mentoring program from the Stretton Society. He plays the 1683 „ex Petherick“ Stradivarius violin, on loan by the Stretton Society.

Elmina Hasan (mezzo-soprano)

© Asya Panfilova

The mezzo-soprano Elmina Hasan, hailing from Azerbaijan, is an emerging vocal talent whose career is rapidly gaining international momentum. A alumna of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera, she has already graced stages with significant roles, including her debut as Fenena in Nabucco at the Georgian National Opera. Elmina's remarkable vocal prowess has led to performances alongside Placido Domingo and appearances in prestigious venues such as the Teatro Verdi di Trieste and the Deutsche Oper Berlin, marking her as an artist to watch.

Benjamin Kruithof (cello)

© Andrej Grilc

Luxembourgish cellist Benjamin Kruithof, born in 1999, is a rising star celebrated for his "noble, singing, beautiful" playing. He is the first-prize winner of the 2022 George Enescu International Competition and an ECHO Rising Star artist for the 2024/25 season, which will see him perform across Europe's most renowned stages. Benjamin, who began cello at age 5, has studied with Mirel Iancovici, Maria Kliegel, and currently with Prof. Jens-Peter Maintz, and is pursuing postgraduate studies at Kronberg Academy. Benjamin joins the 2025-26 season of the Classeek Ambassador Programme through our collaboration with the International Classical Music Awards, where he won Young Artist of the Year 2025.

Anthony Ratinov (piano)

© Jiyang Chen

American pianist Anthony Ratinov, lauded for his "unwavering energy and precision," is a captivating performer who commands the stage with "class, style, technical mastery, and solo prowess." He is the recent 3rd Prize winner at the 2024 Concours Musical International de Montréal and secured 2nd Prize at both the 2025 National U.S. Chopin Competition and the 2023 Busoni International Piano Competition. Anthony began his musical journey at age four under his grandmother's tutelage and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at The Juilliard School.

Kian Ravaei (Composer)

Photo courtesy of Kian Ravaei

Born in 1999, Kian Ravaei is a contemporary composer known for his evocative "tone painting," synthesizing diverse inspirations into unique musical portraits. His rapidly expanding catalogue has earned him notable honours including a Copland House CULTIVATE Fellowship and a New Music USA Creator Fund Award. Kian has collaborated with sought-after artists such as Lara Downes and Tessa Lark, and holds degrees in composition from UCLA and Indiana University, currently being a C.V. Starr Doctoral Fellow at The Juilliard School.

Benett Tsai (cello)

© Shervin Lainez

Australian cellist Benett Tsai, born in 2003, is described as "electrifying" and "flawless." He gained international attention as a top prizewinner at the 2022 Grand Prix Emanuel Feuermann and joined the roster of Young Concert Artists in 2023. Bennett has performed as a soloist with orchestras worldwide, including the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, and has appeared at major venues such as The Kennedy Center. He studies with Clive Greensmith at The Colburn School, and is mentored by Ralph Kirshbaum and Steven Isserlis.

We are currently in the exciting process of planning our 2025-26 season with this amazing cohort of artists. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available! In the meantime, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the latest from each of these incredible musicians.