News

Pianist and alumnus Gen Li was awarded joint first prize in the 2017 Brant International Piano Competition last month in Birmingham.

The Brant International Piano Competition provides young pianists the chance to further their careers and perform in world class venues. Winners receive £3,000 plus a recital at Birmingham Town Hall as part of their next season.

Judged by pianist Nelly Akopian-Tamarina, academic, juror and critic Bryce Morrison, and Head of Artistic Programming at Town Hall Symphony Hall, Richard Hawley, Gen was awarded first prize, along with Ryan Drucker who is currently studying at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Gen also received the Audience prize, winning an additional £500.

This prize is another the Trinity Laban alumnus can add to his list of achievements, which have included the 2015 Jaques Samuel Pianos Intercollegiate Piano Competition.

Speaking about his experience at Trinity Laban, Gen commented –

“Trinity Laban was very supportive of me in finding my own voice in my piano playing and in my performance. I think Trinity Laban is a place where all the musicians should go if they can because in the environment is very positive, and the staff extremely helpful; no-one is cold or unfriendly, everyone is very friendly and supportive and the facilities are brilliant; you can practise for hours and hours on the things you are trying to work on. The academic environment and the teaching levels are superb.”

To find out more about Gen, please visit his testimonial page.

Gen isn’t the only Trinity Laban associate to have recently scooped first prize in a prestigious competition. Current student Joe Howson has won the Appelbe Piano Prize 2017, adjudicated by acclaimed international pianist Eva Maria Doroszkowska.

To find out more about studying at Trinity Laban, please visit our website.