News Story
We are bringing together some of the brightest emerging talent from across the world, this year expanding beyond strings, brass and voice to include jazz for the very first time.Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director
What is Rising Stars?
Rising Stars gives the world’s most promising young musicians a chance to shine on an international stage. Chosen via audition, we unite up-and-coming musicians with professional mentors and their peers.
This year’s Rising Stars is a call-out for Voice, Jazz and Strings. The programme culminates in performances on Edinburgh International Festival stages, at the Festival’s home The Hub, as well as The Queen’s Hall and Usher Hall.
Applications for Rising Stars 2026 are open. You'll receive a tailored mentorship, make industry connections and step onto our global stage. Deadline 29 March 📅
Rising Stars of Voice
© 2023 Andrew PerryThis is now the fourth year of the International Festival's Rising Stars programme, and with 44 alumni already, it’s incredibly exciting to see how it continues to grow in ambition and reachNicola Benedetti, Festival Director
Rising Stars of Jazz
2026 marks a first-time call-out for budding jazz musicians. This new strand will welcome five talented Scottish pre-professional jazz musicians, currently studying at conservatoire level, offering them the opportunity to develop their craft on an international stage.
Working alongside renowned drummer Domo Branch and pianist Joe Webb, they will perform at Up Late: Jazz Jam, in The Hub.
The Rising Stars of Jazz will also perform in two dementia-friendly concerts, created to provide a relaxing and welcoming space for people living with dementia, their families and caregivers.
The Rising Stars of Jazz are supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund through Creative Scotland.
Jazz Jam
© 2025 Jess ShurteRising Stars of Strings
Rising Stars of Strings will welcome four talented, pre-professional string players of conservatoire level.
They will be mentored by renowned ensemble Kleio Quartet, alongside the first and second cohort of Rising Stars (2024 & 2025).
Festival Director and violin virtuoso Nicola Benedetti will join the cohort in an innovative and interactive Classical Jam at The Hub, as well as an additional performance in an NHS setting as part of the Festival’s Discovery & Participation work.
Rising Stars Classical Jam
© 2025 Jess ShurteRising Stars of Voice
Rising Stars of Voice will comprise of eight pre-professional singers and one exceptional song and chamber music pianist.
Mentored by acclaimed artists James Baillieu and Louise Alder, they will perform in two public performances.
One performance will be at The Queen’s Hall in Rising Stars of Voice and at the other will be at Usher Hall in This Shining Night with Edinburgh Festival Chorus.
Louise Alder
© Will AlderSocial Impact: Industry Connections
The International Festival is the place where artists can develop, be nurtured and experiment in an environment like no other. This year, 27 musicians will join an International Festival Rising Stars cohort of 44 musicians formed since its inception in 2023, reaching over 10,000 audience members. Find out more.
This programme has made a fantastic impact on my career as I have created fantastic connections with my colleagues as well as being able to perform such an exciting piece of musicEuan McDonald, Rising Stars Participant 2024
Feeling Inspired?
Applications are open! You'll receive a tailored mentorship, make industry connections and step onto our global stage. Deadline 29 March 📅
Nicola Benedetti at Rising Stars of Strings
© 2023 Andrew PerryWhat makes this programme so special, and in many ways quite rare, is not only the calibre of the mentorship but the way these emerging artists are immersed in a festival environment that is alive with creativity, collaboration and possibility in a way that few places in the world can offer. I look forward to welcoming them all into the heart of the Festival this AugustNicola Benedetti, Festival Director
