Adjudicators

The BritchamDR Young Musician of the Caribbean Award brings together a prestigious panel made up of three British judges with extensive careers and experience in adjudicating competitions. In previous editions, we have had the participation of David Watkin, Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, and Katy Ayling.

2025/2026

The fourth edition of the BritchamDR YMoCA has the valuable support of the following members of the jury:

SIMON LEPPER

British pianist Simon Lepper specializes in vocal and instrumental accompaniment. He studied at King’s College, Cambridge, and the Royal Academy of Music in London with Michael Dussek and Ruben Lifschitz. He is Deputy Head of Keyboard (Collaborative Piano) and Vocal Repertoire Coach at the Royal College of Music, and has been the official accompanist for the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World since 2003. Lepper has performed at Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, Ravinia, Edinburgh Festival, and La Monnaie, collaborating with artists such as Stéphane Degout, Gerald Finley, and Benjamin Appl. His recordings include works by Debussy, Jonathan Dove, and a Diapason d’Or–winning album with Carolin Widmann. More at www.simonlepper.com

ANDREA GAJIC

Scottish violinist and pedagogue Professor Andrea Gajic enjoys an internationally distinguished career. She made her London debut at the age of twelve, performing Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy during Yehudi Menuhin’s 70th Birthday Celebration. As soloist, she has appeared with orchestras across Europe, the United States, and Australia, performing concertos by Sibelius, Brahms, Prokofiev, and Glazunov. She performs regularly at international festivals and forms part of the duo “Ad Libitum” with her husband, accordionist Djordje Gajic. Head of Strings at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she has also taught at the Yehudi Menuhin School and St Mary’s Music School. Her students have achieved success in international competitions and now hold positions in leading orchestras worldwide. More at www.pure.rcs.ac.uk

CLAIRE WICKES

Principal Flute of the English National Opera Orchestra since 2015, Claire Wickes is regarded as one of the leading flautists of her generation in the UK. She graduated with First-Class Honours from Brasenose College, Oxford, and completed her Master’s degree at the Royal College of Music, where she now teaches and leads masterclasses. Claire has performed as guest principal with the London Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra, and records regularly for film, radio, and television. A prize-winner at the Aeolus Competition, she appears as a concerto soloist in Germany and the UK, and performs at chamber music festivals including North York Moors, Southwell, and Brighton. More at www.clairewickes.com