RIAM alumni, tenor Seán Tester and pianist Frasier Hickland, have been named the 2025 Danone Young Outstanding Artists at Wexford Festival Opera.
The award, now in its fifth year, supports emerging artists at a pivotal stage in their careers. Both Seán and Frasier are currently part of the Wexford Factory, the Festival’s professional development academy, which offers a series of masterclasses and workshops before artists step onto the Wexford Festival Opera stage.
For Seán, this recognition builds on an exciting journey that began at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where he completed the Recital Artist Diploma under Owen Gilhooly-Miles and went on to graduate with distinction from the Master in Music Performance in 2025. While at RIAM, he was the recipient of the BVOF | RIAM John Pollard Bursary, and he worked closely with vocal coach Dearbhla Collins. Seán has since gone on to perform with Irish National Opera, make his international debut in Switzerland, and appear in major festivals and concert series in Ireland and abroad.
Speaking about the award, Seán said: “I’m so honoured to receive the Danone Young Outstanding Artist Award. This support makes a real difference as I begin to build my career, and I’m grateful for the encouragement of the Festival at this crucial moment between study and professional life.”
Frasier Hickland, praised for his dramatic sensitivity and technical flair, is also a distinguished RIAM graduate, having studied with Professor Anthony Byrne. A sought-after répétiteur and chamber musician, he has appeared at venues such as Wigmore Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, collaborated with leading opera companies and festivals across Europe, and been broadcast internationally on BBC Radio and RTÉ Lyric FM.
Frasier shared: “It is an honour to be the first pianist to receive this award, which acknowledges the vital work of répétiteurs behind the scenes of an opera. This recognition will give me further opportunities to advance my career, while proudly representing the Festival.”