Welcome to the ADYM Competition 2026
We are delighted to host ADYM 2026 here at The British School Al Khubairat. Founded in 2022 by BSAK, the competition has flourished over the years, uniting music education across Abu Dhabi and celebrating the outstanding talent within our community.
This prestigious event brings together more than 200 talented young musicians from schools across the city, showcasing excellence in Classical, Contemporary, and World Music.
The competition was born from the vision of the Abu Dhabi Music Teachers Committee, whose shared goal is to create exceptional musical opportunities for students and to continually raise the bar for musical excellence.
ADYM is not only a platform for performance but also a wonderful opportunity for young musicians to make friendships, be inspired, and create lasting memories.
A distinguished panel of international musicians will provide constructive feedback, helping participants refine their skills and take their performances to the next level.
Over seven exciting days, students will share their passion, technical skill, and creativity, celebrating music together with their peers, teachers, and the wider community.
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Each Entrant will be required to complete and submit an online ADYM Application Form and to upload documents as outlined below:
Online Entry Form
Participant EID Copy; both front and back side
Participant Professional School Head Shot in School Uniform Photo Specifics: 300 DPI .png or .jpeg NO PASSPORT PHOTOS OR SELFIES
Participant Round 1 (One) Piece - .pdf format, One (1) piece allowed and must not exceed 5 mins in length.
Participant Semi Final Piece - .pdf format, One (1) piece allowed and must not exceed 5 mins in length.
Participant Backing Track (if applicable) - mp3, wav, or m4a format
Bank Receipt as proof of payment.
The event commences on Saturday 11th April 2026 and concludes with the Grand Final on Friday 17th April 2026.
ELIGIBILITY AND SUBMISSION
SOLOIST ENTRY FEES AND PAYMENT
ENSEMBLE ENTRY FEES AND PAYMENT
ACCOMPANISTS AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
USE OF AUDIO/SOUND EQUIPMENT
ADJUDICATION
| 20 October | Entries open |
| 5 February | Closing date for entries & payments |
| 11-17 April | Abu Dhabi Young Musician Competition |
| 11 April | Round One Ensemble Category (All Day) + World Music Category |
| 12 April | Round One Soloist Category (All Day) |
| 13 April | Round Two Soloist Intermediate Category (start 3:30) |
| 14 April | Round Two Soloist Advanced Category (start 3:30) |
| 15 April | Semi Final Ensemble Category (start 3:30) |
| 16 April | Semi Final - Intermediate and Advanced Category (start at 3:30) |
| 17 April | Grand Final - Intermediate, Advanced, Ensemble and World Music Category (start at 1:00) |
The above schedule will be confirmed by the end of January.
This section is open to individual performers as per the following criteria:
The soloist competition is further divided into three (3) distinct categories; Classical, Contemporary and World Music, to give soloists the opportunity to perform music that best suits their interests, strengths, and artistic identity.
CLASSICAL
There will be six (6) different competing sections under the Soloist Classical Category area.
CONTEMPORARY
There will be three (3) different competing sections under the Soloist Contemporary Category area.
WORLD MUSIC
This category will remain an open platform, rather than being divided into two distinct categories; intermediate and advanced levels, to accommodate the varying levels of musical proficiency among participants.
ROUND ONE
Round One - One (1) Piece will be of the performer’s choice and must not exceed more than 5 minutes in length.
Please note that the level of difficulty of the piece performed must be of the correct grade standard for the category entered.
The Host School will advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 5 minutes.
ROUND TWO
Round Two pieces will be taken from the Instrumental Set Piece list ADYM 2026 found under ‘Set ADYM 2026 Pieces’.
The Host School will advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 5 minutes.
SEMI FINAL ROUND
The Host School will advise that any Semi Final Round Piece - One (1) piece will be of the performer’s choice and must not exceed 5 minutes in length.
FINAL ROUND
The level of difficulty of the piece performed must be of the correct grade standard for the category entered.
The Host School will advise that any Final Round performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 8 minutes.
The adjudicators' decisions are final, and no further discussions will be held regarding the results.
The following table outlines the approximate percentage of entrants from each category who will advance through each round.
INITIAL ROUND | ROUND 2 | SEMI FINAL | FINAL | |
| SOLOISTS | 100% | 60% of Round 1 | 20% of Round 2 | 1 Participant (per each category) |
* Please note that this is a guide and subject to alteration at the discretion of the adjudicators.
Each ensemble performance should last no longer than 6 minutes. This should be one piece only.
The Organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 6 minutes.
REPERTOIRE
Repertoire must reflect the spirit and merit of the event.
CRITERIA
The Ensemble category consists of three (3) distinct categories; Classical, Contemporary and Vocal. These categories are further divided into six (6) distinct competing individual categories:
CLASSICAL ENSEMBLE
CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE
VOCAL ENSEMBLE
The format of the Ensemble competition will be as follows:
| Initial Round | Semi Final | *Final | |
| Small Ensemble | All Entrants | 2 Ensembles | 1 Ensemble |
| Large Ensemble | All Entrants | 2 Ensembles | 1 Ensemble |
| Small Vocal Ensemble | All Entrants | 2 Ensembles | 1 Ensemble |
| Large Vocal Ensemble | All Entrants | 2 Ensembles | 1 Ensemble |
| Small Contemporary Ensemble | All Entrants | 2 Ensembles | 1 Ensemble |
| Large Contemporary Ensemble | All Entrants | 2 Ensembles | 1 Ensemble |
This new category allows musicians to explore and perform music that reflects a variety of cultures, whether through traditional performance, contemporary interpretation, or innovative cross cultural fusion.
This is a non competitive platform introduced this year for young musicians.
It’s aim is for cultural appreciation, inclusion, and a deeper understanding of the global language of music.
INSTRUMENTS
Music that originates from, or is influenced by, a specific cultural tradition or region.
Examples such as but not limited to as follows:
REPERTOIRE
To maintain the integrity and authenticity of this category, performers are encouraged to keep the repertoire as close to its original traditional form as possible. This includes preserving traditional melodies, and rhythms that reflect the cultural roots of the piece.
While respectful interpretation is welcome, the aim is to honour the original style and context of the music being performed.
Please click the icon for the link to the music scores
Please click the icon for the link to the music scores
The following Prizes will be awarded at the Grand Final:
Ensemble Awards
Classical Awards
World Music Award
Contemporary Awards
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Professor Andy Stott is the first Head of Popular Music at the RNCM, Musical Director of the RNCM Session Orchestra and the founding CEO of Northern Quarter Records. His career as a music educator has seen him heading music departments at a number of top institutions in addition to examiner roles in the UK and abroad, and mentoring for rock and pop festivals and consultancy for Music for Youth.
As a performer, Andy has worked as a session drummer and percussionist in a wide variety of musical genres, including Jazz Orchestras, Brass Bands, Symphony Orchestras, Choirs, Musical Theatre Pit Orchestras, and Rock and Pop Bands. His performing career developed into working as a freelance Musical Director, and in that role he has appeared on the international stage performing with singers and musicians across the UK and in Barcelona, Lake Garda, Lisbon, Brisbane, Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles, Bangalore, Seoul, Singapore, Beijing, Chengdu, Suzhou, and Shanghai.
Andy also has extensive experience as a MD in musical theatre – credits include; West Side Story, Les Miserables, Evita, Grease, Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, STOMP and The Full Monty. Andy was a producer and the musical supervisor for the first UK tour and West End run of the award-winning Broadway musical RENT.
Andy has been the recipient of four RNCM Student-Led Teaching Awards; two for his musical direction of the RNCM Session Orchestra, and two for Employability Enhancement. In 2015 he became a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, in 2017 was appointed to the ABRSM’s Music Education Advisory Committee and to the board of the Association for Popular Music Education, and in 2023 became a Professor (personal chair) at the RNCM.
Nicholas Warden has enjoyed a varied career as singer and teacher, performing on stages across the world and teaching talented young students at every stage from beginner to Postgraduate level.
Over a 25-year teaching career he has held posts at the Junior Royal Academy of Music in London, Oxford University, St Paul’s Boys and Brighton College. He is currently working as Managing Director of Gibden Education offering international music consultancy to individuals and institutions and running a series of orchestral and singing camps both in the UK and in Asia. Their next camps are being held in Oxford and at the Royal College of Music in Summer ‘26
With a broad repertoire ranging from Handel, Monteverdi and Purcell to Mozart, Mendelssohn to Elgar and new music, he has worked throughout Europe with conductors including: Emmanuelle Haim, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Colin Davis, Sakari Oramo, Gary Cooper, Sian Edwards, Harry Christophers and Martyn Brabbins. Highlights in the concert hall have included Handel’s Orlando (Wigmore Hall), Verdi’s Requiem (Winchester Cathedral), Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis (Barbican). On the operatic stage he has performed in Lille, Strasbourg, Paris and Potsdam. He has worked for Scottish Opera, Vlaamse Opera, Glyndebourne and Le Concert D’Astree. Selected as a recommended artist for the National Federation of Music Societies, Nick has performed with many Choirs and Choral Societies across Europe. He sang from the Bridge of the QEII to mark her return to New York following 9/11.
Born in London, He went to Durham University, graduating with a music degree, before continuing at the Royal Academy of Music studying with Mark Wildman. He was elected an Associate of the RAM in 2007.
Gareth Owen is a pianist, collaborator and teacher, and has performed throughout the UK, Europe, North America and Australia.
Appearing at venues in the United Kingdom, including the Wigmore Hall, Barbican, St.David’s Hall, CardiF and the Sala Mozart, Zaragoza, he has also performed at international festivals in France and Switzerland, including the Verbier Festival. A winner of numerous prizes in the UK, Gareth has toured in Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and broadcasts have included performances on BBC Radio 3, BBC television, Canal+ and ABC Australia.
Gareth studied with Alicja Fiderkiewicz at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester and later with Joan Havill at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Postgraduate scholarships enabled Gareth to further his studies with Menahem Pressler at the BanF Centre for the Arts in Canada and masterclasses with Dimitri Bashkirov and Leon Fleisher.
Gareth has collaborated with many distinguished artists, including cellist Hannah Roberts. Gareth is frequently invited to examine, adjudicate and give masterclasses at various schools and festivals and he is involved in several piano programmes at summer music schools in the UK. Most recently, performances have included recitals in France and the UK, as well as Rachmaninov’s Concerto No.1.
Gareth was Head of Piano at Eton College for nine years and is currently Deputy Head of Keyboard Studies at the Guildhall School.
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With a career spanning over 25 years, Nicole joined the first violins of the London Symphony Orchestra age 24, after graduating with first class honours from the Royal Academy of Music.
After performing around the globe with them for a decade and recording film music including Star Wars, she joined COOL Music Ltd as orchestral fixer and booked orchestras for film and TV recordings including Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
2008 saw her take up the position of principal violinist for English National Opera followed by over a decade performing as guest concertmaster and principal for many orchestras including the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic and English Chamber Orchestra. Currently the concertmaster of the award winning London Musical Theatre Orchestra, Nicole is a leading London session musician.
As a violin professor, Nicole taught for 11 years at her alma mater, the Royal Academy of Music and is currently a professor at the world renowned Eton College.
She has presented concerts on TV and radio for the BBC and Classic FM as well as live concerts and has hosted webinars, masterclasses and Q and As online , interviewing world class musicians including Pinchas Zuckerman and Augustin Hadelich. Working with ensembles including the LSO and BBC Singers as a producer, she has created concerts, apps and recordings. Creator and director of several music courses for young musicians, Nicole currently runs her own Virtuoso International Music Academy based at the historic Winchester College, UK, bringing talented students from around the world to study with the finest UK pedagogues.
Tala Badri is the Founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Musical Arts (CMA) in Dubai, a leading institution dedicated to providing high-quality and affordable music education for all ages. Born and educated in Dubai, Tala holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Royal Holloway, University of London, becoming the first female Emirati to graduate in music, and later earned a degree in Management and Languages.
Before founding CMA, Tala spent ten years in the corporate sector with Barclays Bank and Mars, gaining broad experience in finance, human resources, and management. Alongside her professional career, she remained deeply involved in the performing arts community, contributing to the development of the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.
In 2005, Tala established the Centre for Musical Arts, recognised among Dubai SME’s Top 100 companies. Under her leadership, CMA has evolved from a small team of eight to a thriving organisation of over 45 staff, serving 1,500 students and managing music programmes across 30 schools. The Centre relocated in 2022 to Dubai Culture’s Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children and recently have opened a second site as part of the New Covent Garden development in Mall of the Emirates.
Tala’s achievements have been recognised through numerous honours, including the Best Emirati Entrepreneur Award, Best Female Entrepreneur Award, and the Friends of the Arts Award from the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards. She also serves on the Board of Alliance Française Dubai, the Advisory Board for the UAE National Ensemble, and the National Grants Programme for the Ministry of Culture and Youth, and is a Founding Member of the Emirati Musicians’ Association.
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Born in London, Ivan attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Opera Studio. He is a regular guest at some of Europe’s most prestigious opera venues, including, the Salzburg Festival, the opera houses of Brussels, Milan, Naples, Paris, Hamburg, Munich, Lyon, Athens.
Ivan’s extensive repertoire spans classical roles such as Don Giovanni, Eugene Onegin, Escamillo, Danilo, and Marcello, alongside contemporary works where he has received particular acclaim. Recent highlights include creating the role of Antiochus in Michael Jarrell's Bérénice at Opéra de Paris, performing in Heinz Holliger's Lunea at Zurich Opera, participating in Francesco Filidei's Giordano Bruno world premiere in Milan, Porto and Paris, playing the role of King Edward II in Lessons in Love and Violence by George Benjamin at Zurich Opera and creating the role of L’Homme in the world premiere of Otages by Sebastian Rivas at L’Opéra de Lyon. Most recently he played the role of Vershinin in the highly acclaimed production of Three Sisters by Peter Eotvos at the Salzburg Festival. He has appeared in multiple groundbreaking productions by visionary directors including Peter Brook, Peter Sellars, and Christoph Marthaler.
Ivan has performed recitals throughout Europe and the United States and is often partnered by Daniel Tong, pianist of the London Bridge Ensemble. He appears in concert with orchestras such as Ensemble Modern, Remix Ensemble, Seattle Symphony, Auckland Philharmonia, Estonian Symphony, BBC Symphony, Le Parlement de Musique, Orquestra Nacional do Porto, Il Seminario Musicale, and Divino Sospiro.
His recordings include Lulu from La Monnaie directed by Krzisztof Warlikowski, Les Mamelles de Tiresias from Opera de Lyon directed by Macha Makaïeff, Lehar’s La Veuve Joyeuse (french version) from L’Opera de Lyon, the complete songs of Francis Poulenc with Graham Johnson (Hyperion), Lunea by Heinz Holliger (ECM), La Bonne Chanson (piano sextet version) by Fauré (SonImage) and Liederkreis by Schumann (Sonimage), Songs of Frank Bridge (Dutton), and Henrik Hellstenius's Ophelia: death by water singing (LAWO Classics).
Beyond performing, Ivan is an Artistic Director, consultant and programmer. He has led an opera festival in Portugal, managed chamber music series in the UK and Belgium, designed and run a Residency in Singapore and developed a new Music Education platform in the Middle East. His company, Long Play Lab continues to advise institutions and governments on talent and network development, cultural strategy and programming.