The Davison Young Musician Awards were established post covid pandemic, with the aim of supporting a broad range of young musical talent who might not have access to, or the financial means needed to develop their musical talent.

Since then we have  auditioned over 385 young, talented musicians, who have gone on to achieve significant musical aplomb.

The DYMF has awarded 38  awards to date and issued 8 new instrument grants supported by Yamaha Music London and John Packer Instruments and hosted 6 recital concerts and two major showcase concerts at Trinity College Chapel Cambridge.

Where Talent Becomes Trajectory

Over the past five years, the Davison Young Musicians Foundation has supported a growing number of exceptional young performers—many of whom have gone on to shape meaningful musical paths across the UK and internationally.

Some have achieved national recognition. Others continue to develop steadily—refining their craft, contributing to ensembles, and defining their artistic voice. Together, they reflect the Foundation’s core purpose:

A Collective Story

Not every musical journey follows the same path.

Some of our award winners  like Jordan Ashman, achieve national prominence such as the  winner of the 2022 BBC young Musicians Awards.

Others, such as Felix Kirkby, have dedicated themselves to building musical leadership from the ground up—establishing and conducting the Oxford Festival Orchestra, while continuing his work as a composer and advancing his conducting studies.

Musicians such as Sebastian “Seb” Thomas reflect a different but equally significant path—contributing creatively in the Foundation’s early years, before continuing into professional choral life at Winchester Cathedral, alongside ongoing compositional work.

Performers like Harry Kneeshaw now balance major orchestral engagements with an emerging solo career on the concert stage as well las playing in the Sinfonia of London at the 2025 BBC Proms and other prolific international orchestras.

Vince Baczko reflects the international dimension of the Foundation’s reach—progressing from award winner to performer, advocate, and adjudicator.

Edward Lloyd represents continued dedication within the Foundation itself—developing as a musician while helping to shape its structure and delivery.

Many continue to grow steadily—developing their craft with discipline, resilience, and purpose.

All of them matter.

The Davison Young Musicians Foundation exists not simply to recognise talent—but to support what comes next.

Mission & Purpose

The Foundation was established with a clear and consistent aim.

It does not exist to sustain income for those involved in its delivery.

Its purpose is to generate funding for awards, bursaries, and scholarships for talented young musicians who may not otherwise have access to opportunity.

Its focus remains on:

•Sixth form and academy students

•Early-stage university musicians

At a point where talent is evident—but access is not always equal.

Its goal is simple:

to give opportunity, to provide support, and to create a platform where exceptional talent can be seen and heard.

A Small Organisation, A Meaningful Impact

The DYMF operates with a simple and transparent model.

With an annual funding of approximately £10,000 PA the Foundation is able to:

•Deliver competitions and recital opportunities

•Provide meaningful financial awards

•Create performance platforms for emerging musicians

It is, by design, a small organisation with a big heart, committed to reinvesting directly into the future of music.

Award recipients may go on to perform alongside previous winners in distinguished concert settings—showcasing their talent, musicianship, and virtuosity to wider audiences.

An Invitation to Support

If there is one thing these musicians share, it is not just talent—but the moment when someone chose to believe in it.

That is what the Foundation provides.

And that is what it seeks to continue.

For those who value music as a discipline, a craft, and a lifelong pursuit, there is an opportunity to play a meaningful part.

Support can take many forms:

•Advisory or programme sponsorship

•Event partnership / collaboration

•Personal donation

Each contribution helps ensure that talented young musicians are given:

•a platform

•recognition

•and a chance that might otherwise have been missed

The Foundation warmly welcomes the support of good-hearted and passionate lovers of music who believe that talent should never be limited by financial circumstance alone.

For those who understand the value of music, there is perhaps no more meaningful way to contribute than by helping the next generation to be heard.

The DYMF Panel

Tom Davison

Tom is Founder of the Awards and DYMF.   He studied classical music, trumpet and choral.  

He was the first young musician to win the Ruth Dyson Musicians Award. He achieved ABRSM Grade 8 distinction at 17 and continued to study music performance at Roehampton College and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.  He went on to session record for Strawberry and DJM Music Studios.   While working in Australia he played with the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra for two years. In 2014 he returned to the UK. In 2023 he stepped away from the Civil Service and since 2021, dedicates his time and resources to music and the DYMF Mission.

Cristian de Sa

Named a ‘Young Classical Star’ by Classic FM, the British violinist, Cristian de Sá, embarked on his career aged 24 with his European recital debut at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, and concerto debut with the Gulbenkian Orchestra, Lisbon, and has since been invited to perform in many of Europe’s prestigious halls. He has played chamber music alongside Renaud Capuçon, Maxim Vengerov and has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, France Musique, RTP Portugal, Scala Radio and contributes to The Strad Magazine and BBC Radio 4.
Cristian was a student of Maurice Hasson, Tasmin Little and Pierre Amoyal at the Royal Academy of Music & Mozarteum University. 

Edward Lloyd

Is a concert and recital pianist. He studied the Royal Northern College of Music funded by the Alison Copley Scholarship. Edward had two Masterclasses with Sir Stephen Hough.  and has since performed his first piano concerto debut with the Oxford Festival Orchestra. (Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no 1.) Edward has also played at Bridgewater Hall,  Steinway Hall London, the Stoller Hall and at the Boyne Music Festival in Ireland and at the Franz Liszt Recital Hall in Budapest. Edwards previous competition achievements include the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe Competition and many others. Edward plays recitals across the UK and Europe sharing an intimate and extraordinary understanding of piano music.  He has participated in the International Music Competitions in Budapest as a panel judge and is now a supporting artist and panel adjudicator with the DYMF.

Kathy Bailey

Has known the Founder for several decades, professionally and personally. Kathy is a busy musician in her own right and a qualified teacher. Kathy sang with the BBC Symphony Chorus under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis, and Sir John Pritchard. She currently plays in the Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Phillip Butcher. Kathy is a Music Graduate of the LCM and holds instrumental diplomas and a PGCE.

Vince Baczko

Is an exceptional emerging trumpet player who has won several DYMF awards and many prestige and high profile competitions across Europe for his musicianship and instrumental command. Vince plays professionally as principle trumpet at the Slovak National Opera and 2nd trumpet with the Miskolc Symphonic Orchestra.  Vince is an accomplished trumpet player who brings exceptional musicianship and technical skill to the DYMF recital competitions. Vince took part as a guest judge for the   DYMF 2026 Exceptional Young Musicianship Award Series in Budapest.

Garth White

Studied performing arts and loves music of all genres. Garth represents Charles Tyrwhitt who was a key sponsor of the DYMF inaugural concerts at Ely cathedral in 2021. Garth is the  Secretary of the DYMF and awards administrator. 

Julian Bennett

Brings skills and experience In marketing and media, to help grow the DYMF mission. Julian is an Award winning creative who In Television and print media.  Julian is the Creative Director and CEO of Digitalself live and the DOME project, with clients across the globe in the music and sports industry.