‘All my family were saying ‘you should show this skill off’, it’s taken me a while to get to this point’
Musician appears on Channel 4 show playing at train station
AWOMAN shied away from showcasing her talent for music until her family gave her some vital advice – which led to an appearance on the Channel 4 TV show The Piano.
Brooke Shotton, 21, from Southport, says she had a “love and passion” for classical music from a young age.
She said: “I’ve been playing since I was seven years old. My dad’s side of the family is extremely musical.
“It was growing up watching people like Lang Lang and hearing other classical music and how it makes you feel. Sometimes when I play the piano, it gives me goosebumps. That inspired me to take it seriously.”
However, Brooke was reluctant to share her passion growing up.
She said: “In school I kind of shied away from telling people because no one else did it. It felt like I had something different.
“It was only really recently that I began saying, yeah I do have some talent. All my family were constantly saying, ‘you need to show this skill off’. It’s taken me a while to get to the point that I’m really open about it.”
In 2022, in addition to studying law at the University of Liverpool, she set up a piano school for children in Southport, giving other children the confidence to showcase their skill which she didn’t have growing up.
She organises and performs, among other things, Christmas concerts every year.
This experience, combined with her parents’ encouragement and her love of the show, convinced her to apply for The Piano.
The Channel 4 show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, sees talented pianists across the country perform in UK train stations, including Lime Street, in a quest to find the next generation of talented players.
Brooke said: “It is such an inspiring show and to be part of it is a privilege. Everyone’s so different in their own unique way. That really inspired me.”
Brooke played Novelette in E minor in Manchester Piccadilly station and was applauded by Lang Lang and Mika.
With many commuters and a large TV crew gathered around her, it was a challenge for Brooke but she believes it went well.
She said: “It was probably the most public performance that I have ever done.
“I’ve never performed in a station. It was such a surreal situation but everyone made me feel so comfortable. I felt I could really show off and play to my ability.”
Brooke says some people have said she has the looks of someone from Love Island, which she says is proof that anyone can be a pianist.
She said: “You can love make-up and going out and fashion but also have this side of you.”
When asked what her future plans are, Brooke said: “I would like to do more music and performing, just show everyone that classical music is an amazing genre of music.
“Hopefully I’ll be a lawyer and pursue piano on the side, and spread the love of music through the school.”
SOUTHPORT Learning Trust, Southport Education Group and Southport BID have announced the official launch of the Southport Youth Pledge initiative.
The unveiling took place at the Your Southport Stars Award Ceremony, held at The Grand.
Southport Youth Pledge focuses on increasing youth return by collaborating with employer partners and showcasing the unique employment opportunities and vibrant community spirit Southport has to offer.
Through innovative educational programmes and partnerships with local businesses, Southport Youth Pledge strives to empower young people with the competencies to succeed in their chosen career paths.
“We are thrilled to launch Southport Youth Pledge and take this important step to acknowledge the excellent work of our businesses, organisations across Southport,” said Ian Parry, Director of Education at Southport Learning Trust.
“We are very fortunate to have exceptional businesses and organisations in Southport that proactively work with our schools and colleges. Working with Southport BID and Southport Education Group will provide a structured opportunity to create ambitious innovators, visionary thinkers and extraordinary pioneers throughout our town.”
Michelle Brabner, principal and chief executive of Southport Education
Group, said: “We can now come together with a cohesive approach to make it easier for employers to support the work of our education providers in the region.
“We are very fortunate in Southport to have some amazing employers who already demonstrate tremendous commitment to our young people. We were honoured to award Techedia, Lattimer and Fletchers Solicitors with The Employer Accreditation Award at the Your Southport Stars Awards.”
Southport Youth Pledge, along with stakeholders and the wider community, are committed to nurturing the generation of confident, capable and engaged young people with the aim of inspiring the next generation of our future workforce, driving economic excellence for Southport.
For more information about Southport Youth Pledge and how to get involved, head to www.southport.ac.uk/pledge.