Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Piano winner can’t reach the pedals!
A gifted seven-year-old who can’t reach the pedals on her piano has beaten youngsters almost twice her age to a prestigious award.
Ami Watters, who started playing at the age of four, took the Kent Festival junior pianist crown after beating more than 30 contestants in the under-12 category.
Held at St Edmund’s School in Canterbury, the competition pits youngsters from different age groups against each other across a number of rounds.
Her tutor, Sarah Bailie, said: “Ami’s achievement is outstanding. It is very unusual for someone so young to beat 12-yearolds. She should be incredibly proud as it is a fantastic achievement. She has an immense talent and she is a good student who practises every day – so it is very much deserved.”
As well as winning the junior pianist of the year at the competition, Ami also won the under-10s Ramsey Cup. She was awarded £75 for her victory after impressing the judges with her performances of Schumann, Karganov, Hook and Gillock.
She not only competed against pianists older than her, but also faced her 10-year-old brother Leonardo, who is also taught by Sarah.
“Both of them are tremendous pianists and they are a privilege to teach,” she said.
“These competitions are a great social event as playing the piano can become very isolating.
“The children get to meet others like them and make good friends.”
Ami, who lives in Whitstable and goes to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, was also among the performers on Saturday at an autumn concert held at the Chapel at Kent College in Canterbury.
Money raised will go to Demelza House children’s hospice.