Matilda began learning the piano in the summer of 2022. She demonstrated a natural aptitude for the piano and in November of that year she took Grade 2 achieving an astonishing 98/100. Spurred on by this incredible mark, and extremely positive feedback from the examiner, she immediately began work on Grade 3 Technical Work and repertoire and in May 2023 took Grade 3 for which she was awarded another distinction of 91/100.

Her playing is instinctively musical, showing real flair for shaping the melodic line, whether it's in the right or left hand. She particularly enjoyed bringing out the beautiful melody in Ballad (Tadman-Robins). She also enjoys duets and we had great fun preparing the Moszkowski Spanish Dance as part of the Grade 3 repertoire. Tilly also relishes the technical challenges posed by the scales, arpeggios and exercises, making them every bit as musical as her pieces.

The examiner for Grade 3 awarded full marks for Musical Awareness and Performance Delivery & Focus and commented: 'The programme had good continuity and an air of composure prevailed throughout. The playing was committed and idiomatic'.

She is now working hard on Grade 5 piano, which she plans to take in November 2023.

I am particularly impressed by Tilly’s appetite for learning new repertoire. She learns very quickly and is both analytical and musical in her approach. She understands the need to break the pieces up into smaller sections to master technical challenges and tackles these challenges very systematically and with quiet determination. She also enjoys many different styles of music from baroque and classical through to jazzy modern pieces. She’s also spurred on by the desire to catch up with her older brother, who is currently working on Grade 8!

As well as being a highly talented pianist Tilly also plays the violin, benefiting from tuition at school through Highlife Highland. She has achieved a merit in Grade 4 and is working towards Grade 5. She enjoys ensemble playing and is a member of the Highland Youth String Orchestra, leading the 2nd violins in their most recent concert.

I don’t think Tilly realises quite how talented she is and inclusion in the Trinity Class of 2023 would be a huge confidence boost and wonderful recognition of her talent and the hard work she has put into her piano playing. She is a joy to teach.