Astatine Trio announced as Hans Keller Fellows at Guildhall School

Formed in 2021 and comprised of pianist Berniya Hamie, violinist Maja Horvat and cellist Riya Hamie, the Astatine Trio is quickly gaining recognition as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging chamber ensembles.  

Earlier this year, the piano trio was announced as part of BBC Radio 3’s cohort of New Generation Artists for 2025-27. The trio also won second prize and special prize at the 2025 Franz Schubert and Modern Music Competition in Graz – becoming the first UK-based ensemble to win a main prize in the competition’s history. Other accolades include first prizes at the Birmingham International Piano Chamber Music Competition, Virtuoso & Belcanto International Chamber Competition (Italy) and the Senior Intercollegiate Piano Trio Competition, and the SEAM Prize for contemporary music at the Lyon International Chamber Music Competition.  

The Astatine Trio was privileged to be mentored by Alfred Brendel from 2022-25 and has performed extensively across the UK and abroad, including at Wigmore Hall, St George’s Bristol, Aldeburgh’s Jubilee Hall, the Harrogate Sunday Series and on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune programme. 

The Hans Keller Fellowships have been offered at Guildhall School since 2021, supported by The Cosman Keller Art & Music Trust in memory of the musician and writer Hans Keller, who taught at Guildhall in the 1980s. The Fellowships give the opportunity for a young professional group with a base at the School to be inspired by Guildhall’s world-renowned Chamber Music professors, and in turn to inspire current students through performances and seminars, providing invaluable development in their careers.  

The Astatine Trio joins the Elmore Quartet as Hans Keller Fellows, with the string quartet entering its third and final year as Fellows at Guildhall School.

Matthew Jones, Head of Chamber Music at Guildhall School, said: "I’m thrilled to welcome the brilliant Astatine Piano Trio as our new Hans Keller Fellows. Alongside our returning Fellows, the outstanding Elmore Quartet, they’ll be part of an inspiring year of music-making here at Guildhall. Thanks to the generosity of the Cosman Keller Trust, both ensembles enjoy world-class coaching, mentoring, performance and recording opportunities with our exceptional Chamber coaches – and we can’t wait to present the Astatine Piano Trio in concert at Milton Court on 8 October.” 

The Astatine Trio’s first performance as Hans Keller Fellows will take place on  Wednesday 8 October at 6pm in Milton Court Concert Hall, with the trio performing music by Haydn and Ravel.

_{Header image: Astatine Piano Trio (c) Will Rumsey}