Congratulations to Aki, in Y10, who gave an incredible performance in the Strings Final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.
Despite missing out on a spot in the Grand Final, Aki has been awarded this year’s Walter Todd’s Bursary, alongside another competitor. This is an award given by the BBC to a performer or performers with great potential who impressed the jury at the Category Finals. The judging panel praised the freedom and joy in Aki’s performance, describing it as “dramatic, intelligent music making with tremendous flair and integrity”.
At the strings category final, Aki performed works by Skalka and Stahl, Grieg and Britten. A clip of his performance is available to watch here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0d3sp2q
Aki told us, “It was such an exciting experience and one that I enjoyed thoroughly. Something I’ll treasure for my entire life!”
Aki started learning the violin at the age of four and now studies at the Junior Guildhall. He is a member of the National Youth Orchestra and is also an enthusiastic chamber musician, regularly participating in chamber music courses. At Highgate, Aki takes piano, jazz piano and singing lessons, as well as performing in the chamber orchestra, symphony orchestra and chorale.
Jonathan Murphy, Director of Music at Highgate School, said: “We are immensely proud of Aki’s achievement. He is a brilliant ambassador for the musical life of the school and always contributes to every musical activity with maturity, integrity and a real sense of enjoyment. Huge congratulations from all of us in the music department at Highgate!”
