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The London Welsh Young Singer competition is returning!
15 October 2027
Check our COMPETITIONS page for details on when and how to enter.
16 February 2024
16 February 2024
The renowned London Welsh Young Singer Competition was re-launched on 16 February 2024 as part of the inaugural Festival of Welsh Music in London.
Our audience and judges were treated to an afternoon of superb performances from all of the competitors, each singing four pieces to show us what they can do. Five singers were chosen to take part in the final that evening, with their performances weaved into the Night of the Choirs concert programme. Each finalist gave a stellar performance, blowing the audience away with their talent.
Owain Rowlands
Winner of London Welsh Young Singer for 2024
Owain Rowlands (baritone) was awarded the Kenneth Bowen Prize for 1st place. He was also the recipient of our coveted Audience Prize, voted favourite on the night by the audience for his Welsh language song performance.
Carmarthenshire-born, Owain trained at Cardiff University, the Royal Academy of Music and RWCMD. Career highlights include singing the title role in Don Giovanni, performing at WNO’s Opera Gala, and representing Wales at Expo 2025 in Japan. An award-winning singer, he has won several major vocal competitions and scholarships. You can find out more about Owain's career here: wno.org.uk/profile/owain-rowlands
Robert Lewis (tenor)
Winner of the Timothy Brennan Prize for 2nd place
Since taking part in the festival, Robert Lewis has gone on to win the Domingo Prize in the Tenor Viñas Competition in 2025. Other recent highlights include performances at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, Glyndebourne and Dutch National Opera. Upcoming roles for 2026/7 include Truffaldino (L'amour des trois oranges), Rodolfo (La bohème) and Alfredo (La traviata). You can find out more about Robert's career here: askonasholt.com/artist/robert-lewis
Emir Lloyd-Jones (tenor)
Winner of the Martin Thomas Prize for 3rd place
North Wales tenor Emyr Lloyd Jones is currently a Jette Parker Artist at the Royal Ballet and Opera. A graduate of the Guildhall School and RNCM, as well as taking third place in our festival competition, he won the 2024 Dunraven Young Welsh Singer of the Year award. Recent highlights include performances with Scottish Opera, WNO and the Royal Ballet and Opera. You can find out more about Emir's career here: www.emyrlloydjones.com
Runners up were:
Llinos Haf Jones (mezzo soprano)
Welsh mezzo-soprano Llinos Haf Jones is a 2026 Alvarez Emerging Artist at Garsington Opera and an Associate Artist with British Youth Opera. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and RNCM, she has performed with Welsh National Opera, Irish National Opera and Opera Holland Park, and has won numerous prestigious vocal awards. You can find out more about Llinos's career here: www.llinoshafjonesmezzosoprano.com/
Ffion Thomas (soprano)
Pembrokeshire-born soprano Ffion has studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and is currently completing a Master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music. An award-winning singer, she has performed operatic roles including Frasquita (Carmen) and Papagena (The Magic Flute), and represented Wales internationally in North America and Japan. Read more about Ffion's career here: fthomas41.wixsite.com/ffion-mair-thomas
Many thanks to the competition judges: Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, Prof. Paul Mealor LVO CSTJ, Jessica Robinson
Also to our accompanist throughout the day: Dafydd Chapman
Sponsors
The competition couldn’t have taken place without the support of our kind and generous sponsors:
Geraint and Meurig Bowen donated a prize for the London Welsh Young Singer Competition in memory of their father, Kenneth Bowen, who, following a career as a tenor of international renown, formed the London Welsh Chorale and was its Musical Director from February 1983 to December 2008. He also enjoyed serving as an Adjudicator of many past London Welsh Young Singer competitions.
Emma Davies donated a prize to the London Welsh Young Singer Competition in memory of her partner, Tim Brennan, who sang with the Chorale as a tenor and was a fervent supporter. We miss him hugely.
Martin, Baron Thomas of Gresford OBE, KC donated a prize for the London Welsh Young Singer Competition. Martin is the Honorary President of the London Welsh Chorale.
Geraint Lewis gave invaluable advice on how to run the London Welsh Young Singer Competition, which he helped organise in its former incarnation, and donated towards the running of the this relaunch.
Read all about our previous and upcoming competitions:
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