Young Artist in Association
In partnership with the Royal Academy of Music, each year we offer an opportunity for a young musician to embed themselves in the festival and create a series of events that reflect Deal, its history and communities.
This year, outstanding pianist Xiaowen Shang will collaborate with our young musicians in Learning & Participation, play a lunch time concert and create a theatre and music show about Dickens’ Women, all connected to Deal in different ways.
Come and discover her unique response to the town and festival.
Nominated as one of BBC Music Magazine’s Rising Stars 2024, Xiaowen Shang’s recent career highlights include winning First Prize of 2025 Prix Annelie de Man in the Netherlands; performing at the Harpa Concert Hall in Iceland with her trio, Temporal Harmonies Inc. (THI), repeating their concert programme at Wigmore Hall.
In addition, her debut album with Linn Records, Music of Silence, as part of the Royal Academy of Music Bicentenary Series has been featured on seven Apple Music playlists and has received positive reviews from various broadcast channels, including BBC Radio 3, Scala Radio and Radio Kraków Kultura.
“Keyboard exuberance and invention of harpsichordist”
– The Observer Review
Xiaowen Shang is a versatile pianist, harpsichordist, and musician with passion for early and contemporary music.
Her repertoire ranges from Renaissance composers such as Antonio de Cabezón and William Byrd to contemporary figures including Olivier Messiaen, Pierre Boulez, and Brett Dean. She has collaborated with prominent musicians such as Steven Isserlis, Joanna MacGregor, Rachel Podger, Dame Imogen Cooper, Lawrence Power, and Adrian Brendel.
As an active performer, Xiaowen has played at prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Wigmore Hall and the Victoria and Albert Museum. She has also appeared as a soloist and chamber musician at numerous festivals, including the Brecon, Petworth and Dartington Festival. Xiaowen’s upcoming engagements in the spring season include Leeds Chamber Concert series with THI; BachFest Bath with Adrian Brendel; V10LA Day at Kings Place with Lawrence Power and more.