Askonas Holt Names New Lies Askonas Fellows

Norwegian conductor Julie Røssland, Japanese violinist Hina Maeda, and Mexican tenor Raúl Gutiérrez will receive mentorship and financial support

Three new artists have been added to the Lies Askonas Fellowship talent development program, which is run by the UK-based agency Askonas Holt. They are Norwegian conductor Julie Røssland, Japanese violinist and VC Artist Hina Maeda, and Mexican tenor Raúl Gutiérrez.

As part of the fellowship, they will receive personal mentorship and financial assistance.

Conductor Julie Røssland is embarking on a Master's degree at the Sibelius Academy in September 2023. As a member of Talent Norge’s Dirigentløftet program, she has appeared in masterclasses at the helm of the Bergen Philharmonic, the Stavanger Symphony, and the Trondheim Symphony.

Violinist Hina Maeda made her public debut when she was just eleven years old, and has appeared with a number of Japan's most prominent orchestras. Most recently, she received First Prize at the 2022 edition of the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition.

Lyric tenor Raúl Gutiérrez won First Prize and the Fine Arts Opera Award at the Carlo Morelli National Singing Competition in Mexico. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in January 2023 and will sing the titular role in Massenet's Werther at the Bregenzer Festspiele.

In addition, the agency's two current Fellows — the New Zealand soprano Madison Nonoa and the British conductor Gabriella Teychenné — have been offered places on the agency's main roster.

"It’s essential that artists receive tailored advice and support at this formative stage, helping them develop their artistry in a sustainable way," said Donagh Collins, the CEO of Askonas Holt. "We look forward to working with Julie, Hina and Raúl, and congratulate Madison and Gabriella."