Sofia Demetriades started playing the violin at the age of two, encouraged by her grandmother. Now 18, she has won BBC Young Musician 2026.
Speaking to Phileleftheros, the violinist, who was born in Leicester and has Cypriot roots, describes her win as a dream come true. She also talks about the next steps in her career and thanks Cypriots for their support.
The final
Demetriades won the final on 15 October 2026 at Bristol Beacon, playing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Alpesh Chauhan. Her win was announced on 1 November 2026.
She was chosen from hundreds of entrants. It was also the first time in the competition’s 48-year history that all three finalists were women.
The jury praised her technical precision, musical sensitivity and mature interpretation. Pianist and jury member Joanna MacGregor described her as an exceptional musician and highlighted her musicality and expressive approach.
The title comes with 3,000 pounds towards her music studies, as well as recording and broadcasting opportunities through BBC Radio 3.
Background
“I have Greek-Cypriot and Russian roots, but I was born and spent my early years in Leicester, England,” she said. “I moved to London when I was 11 to pursue my music, and I now call it home.”
She is in the first year of her undergraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, having previously attended its Junior Academy. She studies the violin with So-Ock Kim.
She has already won first prize at the Lipinski-Wieniawski International Competition in Poland in 2024, and first prize at the Haslemere International String Competition. She has also performed as a soloist in the UK, elsewhere in Europe and in Canada.
Early start
Asked what inspired her to take up the violin, she said: “There was always some classical music playing in the house, whether it was a CD or the radio, or my grandma playing the piano. She actually got me started on the violin, and I fell in love with it. I started fiddling around and playing for fun on the violin from as early as 2 years old!”
She also loves playing the piano. “I think it’s so incredibly important to play on the piano, especially being a string player. It’s a huge shift in perception of the music, and helps me with my violin part and knowing how everything fits together in the score,” she said. “I also sing sometimes, and I actually like singing the countermelody while I’m playing the melody on the violin as part of my practice!”
Practice and teaching
Asked how she developed her skills to such a high level, she said: “I know everyone says it, but it’s true: it is just a lot of practice! It has to be built up both over the years and also with the preparation of the pieces to be performed in a competition or concert.”
“Having the right teacher is also key to success: not just someone who tells you exactly what to do, but someone who you really click with and who wants to develop you as an artist. I think that’s why I feel so lucky to be studying with my amazing violin teacher So-Ock Kim.”
Winning the title
“Being crowned the BBC Young Musician 2026 feels like a dream come true,” she said. “I have always wanted to be a part of the competition as I have been watching it on TV for as long as I can remember. Even being in the Grand Final felt like I’d won, but actually winning just feels like the cherry on the top.”
“To be following in the footsteps of past winners and now international artists like Nicola Benedetti, Jennifer Pike and Sheku Kanneh-Mason is so inspiring. I hope to create my own unique path and collaborate with like-minded musicians.”
Next steps
“I’m really excited to continue pursuing my music career, and I have some exciting new projects coming my way!” she said. “I will be making my debut with the English Chamber Orchestra next year playing Piazzolla’s Four Seasons and I am actually their Inaugural Artist for their ‘New Horizons’ programme.”
Message to Cyprus
Demetriades said she had not realised how much attention her success had attracted in Cyprus. “I wasn’t aware of this actually. I just saw a few Cypriots writing to me on Instagram and thought that was very sweet of them,” she said.
She tries to visit Cyprus once a year with friends and enjoys spending time in the mountains and by the sea. She ended the interview by thanking everyone for their support.
“I’m very flattered, thank you so much for your support. I hope I can keep bringing you all joy with my music and sharing my love for it.”
