Ukrainian clarinetist Oleg Shebeta-Dragan is one of today’s most distinctive young artists and a BBC New Generation Artist for 2025–27.

He first gained international recognition in 2022, when he won the Carl Nielsen International Competition in Odense, Denmark. His performances captivated the jury with technical brilliance, expressive depth, and natural musicality, earning him the First Prize, the Special Prize of the Odense Symphony Orchestra, and the Junior Jury Prize.

Following this milestone, Oleg recorded his debut album with the Odense Symphony Orchestra for Orchid Classics, which received high praise from Gramophone Magazin, describing it as “exceptionally fine” and highlighting his warm tone, agility, and characterful interpretation.

As a soloist, he has appeared with leading orchestras, including the Copenhagen Philharmonic, Odense Symphony Orchestra, Lübeck Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Slovak Sinfonietta, performing across major European venues. An active chamber musician, he collaborates regularly with distinguished ensembles and artists.

As part of his tenure as a BBC New Generation Artist, Oleg will appear with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, record exclusive sessions for BBC Radio 3, and perform at leading UK venues and festivals.

A Grand Prize winner of the Silverstein Global Clarinet Competition, Oleg is represented by Nordic Artists Management and is an official artist of Henri Selmer Paris and Gleichweit Mundstücke.

Born in Kyiv, he began his musical education with Andriy Mitrokhov and Roman Vovk before continuing his studies with Reiner Wehle and Jens Thoben at the University of Music Lübeck.

With his rapidly growing international profile, Oleg Shebeta-Dragan continues to establish himself as a distinctive and compelling voice in the world of clarinet performance.