Young Musicians of the Gulf 2027

Paul Saunders is one of the UK’s leading woodwind multi-instrumentalists, commercial clarinettists and orchestral managers, with a freelance career spanning more than three decades.

A familiar name in London’s West End, Paul has held the Clarinet Chair for Wicked since its premiere in 2006. He has also performed on flute, clarinet and saxophone for major productions including Les Misérables, Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins, Oliver!, My Fair Lady and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Alongside his theatre work, Paul has performed with ensembles including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Opera House, CHROMA and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as appearing as a soloist in both classical and jazz settings.

Paul is also a composer, arranger and educator, and is the creator and lead teacher of the innovative BMus and MMus Woodwind Multi-Instrumental courses at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, helping to prepare the next generation of professional woodwind musicians.

Mary Nelson is an accomplished soprano, international concert soloist and vocal educator. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where she was elected a Fellow in 2019, before embarking on a successful career across opera and concert performance.

Mary was a Company Principal with English National Opera, where her roles included Susanna, Pamina, Dalinda, Atalanta, Belinda and Lucia. She has performed at major venues and festivals including the Royal Opera House, Aldeburgh Festival and Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, with a repertoire spanning Mozart, Handel, Britten, Poulenc and beyond.

Mary has performed major oratorio works with leading orchestras including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Academy of Ancient Music, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and English Chamber Orchestra. She has collaborated with conductors including Sir Richard Hickox, Jakub Hrůša, Nicholas McGegan and Jane Glover.

Alongside her performing career, Mary is a highly regarded vocal educator and mentor. She is a Professor of Singing at the Royal Academy of Music and, since 2025, a Vocal Professor at the Royal College of Music.

Eva Maria Doroszkowska is an internationally performing pianist, chamber musician, educator and writer. She has performed extensively across Europe and the UK, appearing at venues and festivals including Steinway Hall, the Royal Opera House, Mozart Festival at Tivoli, Malmö Beethoven Festival and St Martin-in-the-Fields, alongside concerto performances and recitals for music societies.

Eva Maria has also appeared on BBC and TV Polonia, as well as European radio networks including SWR Kultur Radio, Portuguese Radio and Radio 3. Her performances have received praise from publications including Gramophone and International Piano, with International Piano describing her playing as “alert, colourful and beautifully paced”.

An experienced and highly regarded teacher, Eva Maria has taught piano in the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music for 25 years, where she is an Honorary Associate.