Mariamna Sherling awarded Benjamin Britten Piano Fellowship

Monday 21 September 2026

Distinguished pianist Mariamna Sherling has been awarded the Benjamin Britten Piano Fellowship for 2026–28 by the Royal College of Music (RCM), generously supported by the Philip Loubser Foundation (PLF). 

This Fellowship, named after renowned composer and RCM alumnus Benjamin Britten, is awarded to an exceptional pianist who has been accepted on to the RCM’s Artist Diploma course and supports their year at the RCM followed by a year of mentoring and artist development. 

Mariamna Sherling studies with Professor Vanessa Latarche, Head of Keyboard at the RCM. She commented, ‘Receiving the Benjamin Britten Piano Fellowship is a tremendous encouragement to me personally, and I am deeply grateful. It is more than recognition – it gives me the chance to develop as a musician, collaborate with other amazing performers, and explore new artistic possibilities with greater confidence. I look forward to making the most of this support and seeing how it shapes the next steps in my career.’ 

Mariamna Sherling won her first international competition in 2014, at the age of just thirteen. Since then, she has gone on to win prizes at further competitions, including the Campillos International Piano Competition (2025) and the Santa Cecilia International Piano Competition (2023), and has performed as a soloist with major orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Philharmonic of Russia and the Elbland Philharmonie Sachsen. She recently performed Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto no 2 with the RCM Symphony Orchestra at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Scriabin’s ‘Messe noire’ at the RCM’s 2026 Keyboard Festival. 

Previous recipients of the award include Thomas Kelly, Martin James Bartlett, Pavel Kolesnikov and Dinara Klinton, all of whom have gone on to successful performing careers across international stages. 

Professor Vanessa Latarche, Head of Keyboard at the Royal College of Music, said: ‘I am delighted that Mariamna has been appointed as the new Benjamin Britten Piano Fellow. Mariamna is an artist of the highest level, and this award will enable her to flourish in both her studies for her Artist Diploma and in her bourgeoning career. We are deeply grateful to the Philip Loubser Foundation for their support of this prestigious award.’ 

The Philip Loubser Foundation was founded in 1997 by Michael Loubser in honour of his father, to support young talent in music, dance and theatre. Sally Sparrow, Executive Director of the Philip Loubser Foundation, said, ‘We are delighted that Mariamna will be the eighth Benjamin Britten Piano Fellow at the Royal College of Music and to welcome her to the PLF family. I am certain she will make the most of this unique Fellowship opportunity, benefitting from tailored professional support and a career-launching project.’ 

Learn more about the Royal College of Music Keyboard Faculty, where students can develop the skills required to be successful in today’s music profession. 

Main image credit: Chris Christodoulou