News

Tamsin Waley Cohen became the festival’s Artistic Directorship in 2020. When she leaves after the festival in 2027, she will have programmed the festival for eight years. In that time, the festival has gone from strength to strength with a wide variety of concerts and events, including new commissions, poetry, family events and talks. Ticket sales have increased significantly and the Membership has grown.

James Baillieu is one of the leading song and chamber music pianists of his generation and the Two Moors festival audiences will be familiar with him as he has played many times at the festival over the past few years. He was instrumental in reviving the Two Moors festival Residency at his home on Dartmoor in 2025. He is well placed to run the festival as he has already curated festivals and series for the Wigmore Hall, BBC Radio 3, the Verbier festival, the Brighton festival, the Bath International festival and Perth Concert Hall.

Andrew Welch, Chairman of Trustees said, ‘Tamsin has been an outstanding Artistic Director. Taking over the role in 2020 with Covid and lockdown characterising the times, a crisis not unlike that of foot and mouth which brought about the founding of the Festival, Tamsin’s imaginative and resourceful response enabled there to be a festival that year, reestablishing what is one of this country’s leading music festivals. In the succeeding years Tamsin has introduced us to thrilling new artists, extended the range of music played including commissioning new works from some of today’s leading composers, and increased the Festival’s non-musical events. The Festival has developed and thrived on her watch and I have hugely enjoyed working with her. My fellow Trustees and I are very appreciative of all that Tamsin has achieved for the Festival and wish her all happiness and success in the future.

Tamsin has created an exciting platform and I am very much looking forward to James developing the Festival further. I could not be more pleased that James will become the Festival’s next Artistic Director. He is one of the world’s leading song and chamber music pianists. Based in his home on Dartmoor, he has played a significant role in recent Festivals and created and worked with Tamsin in running the Residency programme from his home in 2025 which will take place again in 2026. James’ appointment presages a very exciting future for the festival.’

Tamsin Waley-Cohen said, ‘I’ve hugely enjoyed working on the Two Moors festival since 2020 and am proud of what we’ve achieved throughout the past seven years. Bringing world-class music and culture to an area so dear to my heart has been a great privilege. I’ve loved getting to know the Festival community and developing events that have brought real meaning to people’s lives across the Moors and beyond.

After what will be eight years, I’ve decided it’s time to hand the mantle onto someone new and James is perfectly placed both in his professional career and in his home life to direct the Festival from his home on Dartmoor. I look forward to seeing the Festival continue to thrive under his directorship.’

James Baillieu said, ‘It is a tremendous privilege to be taking on the artistic direction of the Two Moors Festival. Tamsin has created something remarkable during her tenure, bringing a wonderful family of artists to these beautiful landscapes with imagination, generosity and ambition.

I first came to the festival in 2016 to give a recital in Ashburton Church. Ten years on, my partner and I have made our home on Dartmoor, and I feel a deep connection to its landscape and communities. I am delighted that Tamsin and I will work alongside one another next year, giving me the opportunity to build thoughtfully on everything she has achieved. I am enormously excited about the Festival’s future and about shaping the next chapter of this very special organisation.’

For further information please contact: Margi Jervoise – margi@twomoorsfestival.co.uk or 07817 791538