Young Musician Competition National Final, 2026

17 year old Grace Hillis, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wellingborough, is celebrating after being crowned winner of the Rotary Young Musician Competition national final 2026.

Talented Grace came out pitch perfect in the vocalist category of the national competition final, which took place at The Grange Theatre in Cheshire.

Grace was one of 12 young musicians from across Great Britain and Ireland to compete in the national final, having overcome three previous qualifying rounds, including district and regional finals. 

The competition is split into vocalist and instrumentalist categories, showcasing a wide range of genres and performance styles, from classical to musical theatre.

In the competition, Grace performed three songs, including Le Colibri by Hogarth, Whyte and Duffy and Poor Wand’ring One by Stephen Sondheim.

The competition’s esteemed judges, opera singer Grace O’Malley, contemporary pianist Adam Swayne and Professor of Strings Gemma Dunne, provided finalists with expert feedback and were blown away by the standard and presence of the 12 young performers.

For coming out on top in the competition, Grace scooped the coveted Rotary Young Musician trophy.