Yichun Feng & Ben Marsden

Yichun Feng began her vocal studies at the age of 15 under the guidance of Professor Yi Xu at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. In 2011, she continued her training at Shanghai Normal University with Yuan Yao. She later pursued her passion at Bangor University, where she studied with Marian Bryfdir, whose mentorship deepened her love for singing and inspired her to take it further. Most recently, Yichun completed her PhD in Music at the University of Aberdeen, under the supervision of Professor Chris Collins, while receiving vocal training from Judith Howarth and Kate Hughes.

Dr Ben Marsden studied mathematics at Cambridge, piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (with Claudio Arrau’s student Brigitte Wild), and history of science at the University of Kent at Canterbury. He is currently Director of Postgraduate Studies in the School of DHPA and a member of the History Department at the University of Aberdeen. Since arriving in Aberdeen in 1999, he has played an active role in the region’s musical life, working as an accompanist, repetiteur, orchestral pianist, chamber musician, and occasional soloist. He has collaborated with groups including the Aberdeen City Orchestra, Aberdeen Bach Choir, Con Anima, and Haddo Arts, as well as accompanying concerts, music prizes, and masterclasses.