Steinway Scholar

The annual Trinity-Steinway Scholarship is a unique collaboration between Trinity, Steinway & Sons and the Royal College of Music (RCM), supporting talented young pianists.

Every year, students are invited to audition, and the finals are held at the RCM where a new scholar is selected by Professor Vanessa Latarche, Head of Keyboard.

For one year, scholars take lessons with Professor Latarche, attend masterclasses in Poland, perform during the Trinity Piano Festival, tour Venice performing in various respected venues and present a final recital at the Steinway Hall in London.

This year, the recipient of the prestigious award is Third Year student Ben Abraham who, at 13, is one of the youngest winners of the prize. In the final auditions, Professor Latarche was impressed by Ben’s brilliant technical display and musical conviction.

Mr Evans, Head of Piano, said, “Ben is an exciting prospect indeed and we very much look forward to watching his playing develop over the coming years.”

Ben comes from a musical family and started playing the piano when he was five years old. His mother was his first teacher and provided the encouragement and discipline required to practise at the beginning. However, music had soon become such a big part of his life, that

Ben continued to play and develop his skills, also taking up the trombone and organ.

Ben says, “Music is a way of life for me, I listen to it while studying, on the way to school, I feel it in me all the time. Coming to Trinity has really helped me develop. The Music Department is spectacular and has given me a huge amount of confidence, as the teachers all treat the students like professionals.

“I am excited for the Steinway Scholarship: I know it will require a lot of dedication, but it will give me the opportunity to mature and become more sophisticated in my approach. It’s the next big step for me as a musician.”

With every new award, the previous Steinway Scholar must take their bow, and Upper Sixth student Ed Warner leaves to a standing ovation.

Ed completed his scholarship with a magnificent recital at Steinway Hall in London last November. It was a culmination of a year of intense preparation and playing development.

Ed says, “I feel incredibly honoured to have been the 2021-22 Trinity-Steinway Scholar, as it has given me phenomenal opportunities throughout the year.

“I feel that I have learned an enormous amount from these events. I understand how to approach playing in, and preparing for, high pressure environments.

"I have had direct experience of what life is like as a travelling musician. I have also had to learn to correctly evaluate how I am playing and practising. This helps me ensure I am constantly trying to improve and further my dexterity and expertise.

“Looking ahead, I am excited to be going to the Royal College of Music to specialise in Piano performance. I am incredibly grateful for all the opportunities the scholarship has given me, and I very much look forward to seeing what the future will hold during, and after, my studies at the RCM!”

“Ed has been outstanding this year: his development has been quite extraordinary. He now plays with such precision, yet with a vast tonal palette as demonstrated in his final recital. We wish him every success for the future.”

Mr Evans, Head of Piano

Mr Evans Head of Piano

Commitment

Ben, Ed, and indeed all previous Trinity Steinway-Scholars, have shown incredible commitment and love for the art of piano. It is one of the most challenging and demanding instruments to master.