12 May, 2025
14:00 -
14:45

Conference

Opening Keynote: Dr. Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason

Official welcome to Classical:NEXT

Join us for the inaugural 2025 session in Berlin, where Fabienne Krause, Managing Director of Classical:NEXT, and Aliena Haig, Senior Communications Manager, welcoming you to the twelfth edition of Classical:NEXT together with Dr. Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, a figure of forward-thinking prowess and leading advocate for music, the arts, accessibility and the development of musical talent.

Having raised seven children with her husband, all of whom are classical musicians, Kadiatu is a force across the classical music world and beyond. Winner of the Lifetime Award for Contribution to Children’s Arts at the 2018 J.M. Barrie Awards, the Honorary Fellowship of The Royal Academy of Music in 2022, the ISM Distinguished Musician Award in 2023 and author of her memoir, House of Music: Raising the Kanneh-Masons, Kadiatu is also patron of the Swaledale Festival, patron of SaMM in Totnes, President of the Chester Philharmonic Orchestra, and Honorary Friend of the British and International Federation of Music Festivals. An expert on diversity in classical music, music education and issues of race and inclusion, her profound insights and experience offer us much food for thought and endless inspiration.

Dr. Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason (Photo: Ali Johnston)

Chaired by

Dr. Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason (United Kingdom)
Author and advocate for music, arts and education,

with

Fabienne Krause (Germany)
Managing Director, Classical:NEXT
Aliena Haig (Germany/United Kingdom)
Senior Communications Manager, Classical:NEXT