An Evening of Music and Inspiration – In Support of The Amber Trust Following the heartwarming success of last year’s concert, we’re delighted to welcome you back to the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre this October for another special Sunday lunchtime concert celebrating the incredible talents of blind and visually impaired musicians. Expect moving performances, uplifting stories, and plenty of moments that will stay with you long after the final note.
The Line-Up:
Derek Paravicini
Once described by The Telegraph as “the blind, autistic piano genius – who happens to be the Queen’s nephew”, Derek is a truly remarkable musician. With perfect pitch and an extraordinary gift for playing any piece in any key, entirely by ear, he’s been wowing audiences since he was ten.
Chapman Shum
You may have seen 15-year-old Chapman on Channel 4’s The Piano. Blind from birth and living with a range of complex disabilities, including speech and learning challenges. Despite these challenges, he achieved the ARSM Performance Diploma from ABRSM at just 13 – making him one of the youngest blind pianists to do so. A truly inspiring young performer.
Evan Tsang, a blind and autistic pianist who started his piano journey at the age of 1.5. Born as perfect-pitched, he taught himself his favourite nursery rhymes, and started to re-play on the piano all tunes that he came across. As he grows, he composes his own music, transposes songs to different scales, makes up accompaniments for melodies. Music is his core of joy, his way of communication and expression.
Lily and Ashleigh: Lily is blind and autistic, Lily has been singing and making music since she was five years old. Lily loves to perform and is passionate about music. She sings as well as playing piano and organ.
Lilly Kurata is a 20 year old music student currently studying in her 3rd year at Royal Holloway University of London. Her passion for the piano began when she was 4 years old, and studied at the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department during her secondary school/sixth form life. She has achieved her LRSM for piano and DipABRSM for violin, and she recently achieved an award at Royal Holloway for gaining the highest mark in her solo performance exam in her year. She wants to continue her passion for music, and is planning to do a masters degree in music next year. Outside of music, she enjoys digital art, tabletop games and travelling.
Mark Volasko began studying piano at the age of 6 and is now 12. He is a student of Primož Kerštanj at the Doremi Music Center Bled, Slovenia, and works regularly with Professor Adam Ockelford. In addition, he studies euphonium with Luka Einfalt, is an active member of the Mengeš Wind Band and plays in two youth wind orchestras. Mark frequently appears on stage, both as a soloist and with ensembles. He has been a prizewinner at numerous international piano competitions. Most recently he won first prize with a perfect score at the 5th Online International Competition for Young Musicians Zagreb, and received the prize for Most Promising Competitor.
Rui: My name is Rui, and I’m a 7-year-old boy. Thanks to Amber, I’ve been playing the piano since I was 5. I was born with albinism, which means I have no pigment in my body and have a severe visual impairment. I really enjoy playing the piano, and I’m so happy to join Amber’s concert with Chapman today!
Special Film Screening
We’ll be showing Key of Genius – a short film about Derek Paravicini and his mentor, Professor Adam Ockelford. It’s a touching look at the power of music and connection. Watch the trailer here