British violinist Sofia Demetriades wins £3,000 and a performance engagement with the English Chamber Orchestra
The final round of the 2026 Haslemere International String Competition took place on 22 March at the Royal Academy of Music in London, UK. For the first time, participants were divided into two categories according to age.
In the junior category for string players aged 16 and under, the first prize of £500 was awarded jointly to British violinist Peihan Francesca He, 14, and Australian violinist Nicolas Feng, 15. The second prize went to Russian violinist Vasilisa Sokolova, 14, and the third prize to Swiss–British violinist Nikita Koller, 16. Special mention was given to Chinese–Swedish violinist Joel Hammar, 11.
The other finalists were violinists Alice Chadwick-Jones, Kate Lai, and Calliope Smith.
In the senior category for string players aged 17–24, the first prize was won by British violinist Sofia Demetriades, 17. She receives £3,000 and a concerto performance engagement with the English Chamber Orchestra at the Haslemere Festival on 22 May. Special mention was also given to Chinese violinist Qingyuan Yang, 15.
The other senior category finalists were violinists Andrea Lam, Andreas Alexander Martinsen, Nellie Whittam, and violist Carys Barnes.
Demetriades currently attends the Junior Academy of the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) and is due to begin her studies at RAM with So-Ock Kim on a full scholarship later this year. She has attended institutions including the Kronberg Academy and IMS Prussia Cove, and has been invited to perform in the live round of the 2026 BBC Young Musician.
All finalists in the competition will also receive a directing masterclass with the concertmaster of the English Chamber Orchestra, paired with a college ensemble.
This year’s competition comprised Matthew Lloyd-Wilson and Joy Lisney for the first round, with Clare Thompson and Richard Jenkinson for the second round.
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