DUNSTER HOTEL SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL ASPIRING YOUNG MUSICIANS

On Sunday the 1st of February, Ginevra Dobson, a hugely talented vocalist will be performing at The Yarn Market Hotel.

Ginevra was offered a place in Exeter Cathedral Choir at the age of 6 and sang there for over 5 years under the direction of Timothy Noon, attending Exeter Cathedral School. In her final year, Ginevra shared the Smith prize for girl chorister solo work. Ginevra is now a Music Scholar at Blundell's School, performing in their wide range of musical ensembles.

Her solo performances have included Bach St. John Passion at Exeter Cathedral, and Mozart's Requiem and Vivaldi's Gloria in Blundell's Chapel. Ginevra was one of the winners of the 2023 Two Moors Festival Young Musicians Competition and is part of the Blundell's School Hurford Trio who reached the final of the 2025 Pro Corda Festival.

The Yarn Market Hotel is delighted to welcome back Ginevra who will perform a selection of pieces on the theme "Music through time" which takes you from the elegance of Baroque music to much-loved modern classics.

The performance includes a Champagne or Somerset apple juice reception from 4.30pm. The recital lasts approximately one hour.

Tickets are:

• £15 – Reception & Recital

• £35 – Includes a two-course Sunday Roast, served before or after the performance

The Yarn Market Hotel launched this initiative on Sunday 5th October 2025. The first in a series of Sunday afternoon performances by Aspiring Young Musicians, which are held on the first Sunday of every winter month.

This unique concert series showcases the talent of young performers at the start of their musical journey. Each month, a carefully selected instrumentalist or vocalist will share their passion and skill in an intimate performance setting at the Yarn Market Hotel.

Our aim is to support emerging artists and give audiences the chance to enjoy high-quality live music in the heart of historic Dunster. Join us in nurturing the next generation of musical stars.

A performance on Sunday 5 October was given by Victoria Stolte, playing the Viola, and accompanied by Angela Morecroft on piano. Victoria is currently studying at the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey and has recently won the entrance scholarship prize from the Royal Northern College of Music at the International New Talent Festival in London. Although only 17 years of age, her music career has already seen her performing at the Mozarteum in Salzburg with William Coleman, the Mattheiser Summer Academy in Germany, and the Summer String Academy in Pienza, Italy.

On Sunday 2 November 2025 Belinda Gifford-Guy performed at the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster. At only 14 years old Belinda Gifford-Guy is a talented young soprano, who has already been making a mark in the in the vocal music world from a young age. She began singing professionally at only 7 years of age, and at the age of 12, Belinda holds a prestigious vocal scholarship at Wells Cathedral School in Somerset. Belinda has been captivating audiences with her soaring soprano voice and natural musical ability since she was a young child chorister. She has been recognized for her talents with multiple music scholarships and awards. Belinda's passion for singing and natural musical gifts position her well for a promising future as she continues to hone her craft.

Winner of the Junior Young Chorister of the Year with the BBC Orchestra (December 2023), and named as the Young Ambassador for Voices for Life, a role that will see her champion the charity's mission to inspire and empower children through music. Belinda has been a soloist at several Voices for Life performances and will now take on a more active role, raising awareness of the charity's work, supporting its initiatives, and promoting music as a tool for confidence and community building.

Reflecting on her involvement with the charity, Belinda said: "I absolutely loved to see so many children enjoying their singing so much, I'm so happy to be a Young Ambassador for Voices for Life and I hope to continue to help and inspire more young people through the love of singing. I would absolutely love to be an opera singer. My dream job would be performing the role of Pamina in Mozart's Magic Flute at Covent Garden"

She performed the role of The Child in Mendelssohn's Elijah at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, singing a duet with the world-famous baritone Sir Bryn Terfel. This was met with some wonderful reviews

The Aspiring Young Musician's Recital at the Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster on 7 December 2025 featured River Peryer from Barnstaple as their guest solo pianist.

River was one of four winners at the Young Musicians Competition of the prestigious Two Moors Festival in 2025.

River Peryer has amazed his parents and teachers with his musical ability and was the guest pianist when he performed with the North Devon Sinfonia in the Mozart's Piano Concerto No 21, being a major summer concert held in Torrington.

River has won a music scholarship to attend West Buckland School.

Incredibly, he started playing the piano aged six, and at the height of the pandemic lockdown, River's piano lessons took place on video call. Dad Jake said it was initially a challenge, but River persevered.

Antony Brunt, the proprietor of the hotel, has said that the Westcountry has some wonderful talent, both vocal and instrumental, in our Aspiring Young Musicians, and we should be supporting them in any way we can. They all spend countless hours in practice and rehearsals, always trying to improve the standard of their performance and the least we can do is to support them.

For further information and details of future events, visit: https://www.yarnmarkethotel.co.uk/young-musicians

or contact the hotel directly at:

[email protected]

01643 821425