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Lithuanian pianist Ugnius Pauliukonis will participate in the final round of the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) auditions. The musician will compete with seven other finalists for the competition‘s main prize – becoming a YCAT artist. The public final audition will take place on Thursday 19 May 2016, 7 p.m., at one of London‘s finest chamber music venues – Wigmore Hall (36 Wigmore St, W1U 2BP).

Set up in 1984, YCAT provides a unique stepping stone for exceptional young artists who have the potential for international performing careers. Introducing these artists at home and abroad, YCAT brings high quality classical performances to as wide a public as possible. The organisation provides its young artists with a management base, advice, instruction and guidance, educating the artists in strategic and long term planning, both musically and professionally. The list of the alumni of the organisation includes such well-established names as Alison Balsam, Ian Bostridge, Susan Gritton, Elizabeth Watts, Alison Balsom, Joanna MacGregor and others. YCAT holds annual auditions to identify exciting new talent who could benefit from the charity’s work. This rigorous selection procedure culminates in a Public Final at Wigmore Hall.

Born in Lithuania in 1991, Ugnius studied at the Čiurlionis School of Arts with Donaldas Račys. In 2010 he moved to the UK to study at the Royal Northern College of Music where he is currently completing his Masters with Graham Scott. During his studies Ugnius has won numerous awards, including the prestigious 2016 Recital Prize, 2013 RNCM Gold Medal, the Schubert and Mark Ray Prizes. In 2013 he won 2nd Prize in the Amy Brant Competition in Birmingham. He has participated in masterclasses with Valentina Berman, Jean Efflam Bavouzet, Lang Lang, Nina Seriogina, Nelson Goerner and Matti Raekallios. As a soloist Ugnius has appeared with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Kaunas Symphony Orchestra and Manchester Beethoven Symphony Orchestra, his repertoire including Liszt’s Concerto No.2, Mozart’s Concerto No.21 and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. He has given solo and chamber music recitals in Lithuania,
Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Latvia and Estonia including the Kaunas Philharmonic Hall (Lithuania), Bridgewater Hall (Manchester), Wigmore Hall, the Lake District Summer Music and Ribchester Festivals. Ugnius frequently gives workshops and lectures in Lithuania, working with young Lithuanian students. He recently was interviewed for ‘’Muzikos Barai’’, one of the most important music magazines in Lithuania, talking about his education work, solo performances and life in the UK.