Maidstone Young Musician 2025 Competition Winner: George Hall
George is 17 and a sixth form student at Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School preparing for for ‘A’ levels in Music, Theatre, Maths and Chemistry.
He studies the horn with Katrina Lauder and is a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and The Medway Band.
When he’s not playing the horn, George is a keen singer, actor and qualified tennis coach.
He aspires to have a career on the stage in the future, whether musical or dramatic.
Runner Up: Lucie Hall
Lucie is 14 and a year 10 student at Chatham and Clarendon grammar school preparing for her GCSEs.
She studies trumpet, cornet and Jazz voice at the Junior Guildhall school of music on a Saturday with Eleanor Lovegrove and Joy Ellis. In addition to her school and Guildhall ensembles, Lucie is also a member of the Medway brass band and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
In her spare time, Lucie volunteers as an assistant leader in a local Wellbeing Choir.
Young Musician of Promise: Clara Zerpa-Falcon
Clara is currently a year 10 student at Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School.
She began learning the flute with Lucy McIntyre at the age of six, after picking out the instrument while listening to orchestral recordings.
She plays with the school orchestra and enjoys performing solos in concerts. Clara is now working towards a ABRSM performance diploma.
In her spare time, she loves learning French and adores animals.
Maidstone Young Musician 2025 Other Finalists
Olivia Dawson
Olivia began learning the oboe at the age of 8 with Libby Linley at Bromley Youth Music Trust. She is in her second year attending Junior Royal Academy of Music where she studies the oboe with Phil Harmer and the piano with Fiona Harris.
She has been a member of the National Children’s Orchestra for two years. In 2023, she won 1st prize at the Asian Cup International Music competition in the Oboe U12 category.
Olivia is a year 9 student at Newstead Wood Grammar school and an associate musician at Eltham College. Aside from music, she has a keen interest in writing and has been recognised in a national competition. In her free time she enjoys swimming and fencing.
Barnaby Hocking
Barnaby is an enthusiastic 10 year old from Paignton. His main instrument is piano, working towards Grade 7, followed closely by violin.
He also plays guitar, ukelele and recorder. Barnaby is at Exeter school, and in both Junior and Senior Orchestras as well as the choir.
He attends Saturday Morning Music in Totnes, performing in Band, Folk and Jazz Groups on his violin.
Barnaby also enjoys the summer music schools at Chethams, Wells Cathedral School and The European Youth Orchestra, Guildford.
A keen swimmer, Barnaby represents Exeter School and, at County Level, Newton Abbot Swimming Club. He attends Junior Parkruns most Sundays, he has also competed in Triathlons and Aquathons this year, winning the Exmouth Aquathon for his age group.
Maidstone Young Musician 2025 Adjudicators
- Prof. Grenville Hancox
- Flo Peycelon
- Ciara Considine
