GRADE 11 pianist Qden Blaauw claimed the top spot in the prestigious international Yamaha Scholarship programme, walking away with a cash prize to help further his studies.
The piano prodigy and pupil at the Shane Goodall Piano Studio and Reddam House Durbanville received $1 000 (R14 000) after participating in the programme which this year focused on the piano as the instrument category of choice.
Qden started playing the piano at just 8 years old, when after hearing other pianists play he decided to “give it a try”.
He then joined Reddam House in Grade 8 on a part scholarship, awarded to him in line with the school’s philosophy to nurture arts and culture talent in their students.
The 2020 Yamaha Scholarship programme was for the first time conducted online due to the global Covid-19 restrictions, and attracted entries from Gulf Co-operation Council states, the Middle East, West Asia and Africa.
Organisers said the competition presented extremely high standards across all regions, with the South African entrants ranking highly among the finalists.
South Africa was awarded two first place positions – to Qden, whose audition repertoire included Joseph Haydn’s Sonata in C Major and Fredric Chopin’s Etude Opus 10, nos 5 and 9; and John Smith, from the Bishops Diocesan College, who’s taught by Erina Westgarth-Taylor.
Shane Goodall looked back on his journey with the exceptional student which began when Qden was just 9.
“His enthusiasm and passion for music, in particular the piano, was striking from the start. It’s been an enormous pleasure and at the same time a huge responsibility guiding and nurturing his musical talent.
“I was delighted that Reddam House Durbanville has been so supportive of Qden and his achievements and goals, allowing him the freedom and space to develop his talent, and as a result I have a deep appreciation for the music staff and the leadership of the school.”
Barry Nieuwoudt, Reddam House Durbanville’s executive head of school, said the school has been extremely proud to be a part of Qden’s brilliant progress as a world-class pianist for over three years.
“We constantly strive to ensure that we provide an environment for children with talent in the arts, music and drama to excel, and we’ve celebrated Qden’s long list of remarkable accomplishments, awards, performances at major concerts, and importantly, his ever-growing skill and his immense passion for classical piano.”
Cape Times