World Heart Beat

Piano Party Festival – A Huge Success!

Our First Ever Virtual Piano Party Festival

Last weekend (11/12th July) saw World Heart Beat’s first ever virtual online Piano Party Festival – giving young London pianists the opportunity to take to the spotlight, and showcase their musical skills to an online audience, during lockdown.

Over 6o young musicians in 5 concerts…

The Festival saw over sixty young musicians (aged 5 to 25 years), of all levels of experience, perform their selected piece of music live from their own homes. Five concerts took place which were live streamed via Zoom to friends, family and the wider community.

A huge congratulations to all the young people who took part and who showed such skill, ability and confidence during the concerts. Due to the hugely positive feedback we will be repeating this event annually so family, friends and the wider community can see the talent for themselves.

Audience from far and wide…

Over 130 tickets were purchased for the event, some from as far afield as Manchester, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Spain and California! Over £260 was raised for World Heart Beat’s Global Giving BE THERE campaign to enable young people to continue their music learning during the coronavirus crisis.

Ten Awards Presented…

Sahana Gero, MBE, Founder and Creative Director and Patron Julian Joseph, OBE presented the event and were delighted to announce the following ten awards – ranging from the Nadia Boulanger Starting Out Award (presented to Ava Langenburg) through to the Overall Performance Award (presented to Afsaneh Afdjei).

Congratulations to each and every one of the performers for a truly fantastic and spell binding Festival – we were all blown away by the talent on show!

Winners Awards

  • Andras Schiff Aspire Award (for consistently striving to play better and succeeding) – EMMA WOODLEY
  • Ray Charles Ignite award (for stepping into a new and exciting phase in their playing over the course of the year) – SAFFRON JUNOD
  • Yuja Wang Life is Music Award (for those who live, breathe, eat and drink music all the time) – ARTURS MASKALANS
  • Julian Joseph Composition Award (for showing creativity and productivity and for uncovering their personal uniqueness through composition) – GRACE GWYNNE
  • Leonard Bernstein Heartbeat Fellowship Award (for personal excellence and improvement and also supporting others consistently throughout the year extolling the virtues of World Heart Beat) – ARNALDO COGORNO
  • Martha Argerich Diligence Award (for diligence of study and execution) – OLIVIA CASCI
  • Nadia Boulanger Starting out Award – AVA LANGENBERG
  • Hampton Hawes Sparkle with Style Award (for those who bring style and sparkle to their engagement and execution in music, and happiness through their excellence) – NATHALIE ENDEMANN
  • Maria Joao Pires Heroic Journey Award (for those unafraid of facing difficulties and who come through triumphant) – TAMIRA DESTINY QUARTEY
  • World Heart Beat Piano Festival Performance Award (A Star of the Show Award for those who make an impression in the moment) – AFSANEH AFDJEI

World Heart Beat uses the power of music to inspire, bring people together and make a positive impact

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