Young Dunblane pianist wins top music accolade
Juliet shocked by triumph
A Dunblane teenage pianist has been awarded the first ever Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year title.
Dunblane High School S2 pupil Juliet Robertson took the prize in the final of the competition at Glasgow’s Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Sunday.
Fourteen-year-old Juliet started playing piano when she was four years old and is a part of RCS Juniors.
She has previously competed in Japan and Scotland.
Composer Claude Debussy inspired her love of piano and Clair de Lune, which she won the competition playing, is one of her favourite pieces.
Juliet said:“i was really shocked to hear my name called as the winner and I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.
“I wasn’t even expecting to win my regional final, so to be holding this trophy now feels incredible.
“Everyone else was amazing and performed so well, I can’t believe I’m the first Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year.”
She receives £1000 to spend on furthering her musical career and the Maid of Morven trophy made by the Queen’s Sculptor in
Ordinary in Scotland Alexander Stoddart FRSE.
Juliet also receives a package of opportunities provided by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland including a coaching session, participation in a masterclass and a studio recording session.
The final was compered by singer and broadcaster Jamie Macdougall and the panel of judges was led by Christopher Bell, artistic director of NYCOS and chorus director of the Grant Park Music Festival, Chicago, alongside Heather Nicoll, head of woodwind at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, violinist Jennifer Pike, who made her concerto debut with the Hallé Orchestra aged 11 and won BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2002, and Aaron Shorr, head of keyboard at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
The day began with a special welcome from international classical violinist Nicola Benedetti.
The Scotland-wide competition is run by The Music Education Partnership Group who work with every school and local authority to support music education and opportunities.
I wasn’t even expecting to win my regional final, so to be holding this trophy now feels incredible