Petal Miller (piano)

Petal Miller is a passionate 12 years old piano player, who is aiming to be a professional classical pianist in the future.  Her mother’s love of playing piano inspired her to start playing when she was 7 years old, and has been practicing daily since then.  Her favourite composers in history are Bach, Beethoven and Chopin.

Danielle Ullbricht (voice)

Danielle has been interested in singing solo since age 10 when she started having vocal lessons. She first entered the Young Musician vocal competition in 2024, age 13 and came away with a participation certificate.

She entered again in 2025 at intermediate level and won the overall vocalist award for Thurrock.She is currently in year 10 at St Cleres Secondary school in Stanford Le Hope. She’s a keen vocalist and also plays guitar. She’s hoping to pursue her passion in music and wishes to enrol at The Brit School in London, or a similar college.

Isaac Taylor (cello)

Isaac is 15 and goes to Hockerill College in Bishop’s Stortford. He has been learning the cello since he was 8 years old and is taught by Charles Ellis. He also plays the piano and loves composing his own music. He hopes to read music at university in the future.

Mariia Yakychuk (voice)

Mariia Yakymchuk is a 15-year-old singer from Ukraine who has been singing for over ten years. She has participated in numerous vocal competitions and performances across Ukraine and Europe, gaining valuable stage experience and recognition. Mariia is passionate about music and continues to develop her vocal skills through training and live performance.

Tailin Liu (piano)

Music has been a language to me since I first sat at the piano at the age of six. After achieving Grade 1 with Distinction, my lessons were interrupted by the COVID pandemic when my teacher stopped teaching. Undeterred, I continued to develop through a period of intense self-motivation and independent study.

This dedication led to my achieving Grade 8 Piano with Distinction at the age of 12, a milestone that opened the way to my current diploma studies with concert pianist Chenying Li. I also teach piano, finding great reward in helping younger students develop their skills. My musical interests also extend to the violin, in which I recently achieved Grade 8 with Distinction. Whether performing with the Harlow Symphony Orchestra or playing in school string ensembles, I greatly value the shared energy and collaboration of ensemble music-making. As I continue my studies at The Bishop’s Stortford High School, I look forward to balancing academic ambition with a deep and lasting commitment to music.

Our Rotary District No 1240 has always embraced the National Youth Competitions. Our District ran the first National Final at the Cathedral in 2010. Since then many of our young people have reached the finals. Our Essex and East Herts young people are very talented.

Peter Dowse (Rotary District 1240 Youth and Interact Chair)