Caden Cheong, a Sixth Former at Trinity School, has been named as this year’s Steinway Scholar.
Piano man: Steinway scholar Caden Cheong
The annual Trinity-Steinway Scholarship supports talented pianists by providing tuition at The Royal College of Music, professional-level performance opportunities and attendance at an international piano course.
The final audition took place via video conferencing, because key judge Professor Vanessa Latarche, the head of keyboard at the Royal College of Music, was in China at the time.
In the final, Cheong and Isaac Rogers, another Sixth Form pupil at Trinity, performed a concert work of their own choice and a Chopin etude, and after careful consideration, Caden emerged as the unanimous winner.
Cheong says that he has dreamed of becoming a Steinway Scholar since attending the school’s open day six years ago. “I had no idea that piano could be taken to such a high level in a school environment, it was exciting,” he said.
“Originally, I just enjoyed making music for myself, but as I’ve got older, I now appreciate when my music affects people emotionally. I think that’s really special.”
The annual Trinity-Steinway Scholarship is the first of its kind in the world.
Trinity, in Shirley Park, is a large boys independent school (with a co-ed Sixth Form), part of the Whitgift Foundation. The Trinity Music Academy is open to all talented young musicians in the south London area.
The school has 25 Steinway pianos, including two model D concert grand pianos and five further grand pianos. The Steinway Suite is the first teaching facility of its kind in the world, offering exceptional practice and research facilities.
“When Caden first started at Trinity, he was having piano lessons outside of school but soon transferred to one of our teachers, Mrs Fédérici, and joined Trinity Music Academy in the third year. It was transformative for him,” according to Richard Evans, Trinity’s head of piano.
“His performances captivate audiences. He is now one of the best pianists in the school.”
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