‘You should be relaxed and inspired when performing, but there should also be a master inside you who is following and directing everything.’ This pearl of wisdom, offered by Lugano Conservatoire professor Pavel Berman at a panel discussion on ‘Succeeding in competitions’, was just one of the myriad pieces of advice and inspiration on offer at Stradfest, The Strad’s inaugural live event for young musicians, held at London’s Royal Institution of Great Britain on 24 March in association with J & A Beare.