Young Cape Town piano prodigy wins global contest
By Staff Reporter
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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.
Reddam House pupil scoops prestigious Yamaha Scholarship
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Reddam House Durbanville’s piano prodigy, Qden Blaauw has taken first place in the prestigious Yamaha Scholarship programme for 2020/21. The programme focuses on the piano as the instrument category of choice. Blaauw’s prize of more than R14 000 will assist him further his music studies.
He started playing the piano when he was eight. He says he had heard pianists performing and decided to “give it a try”. His musical gift was then encouraged when he joined Reddam House Durbanville in Grade 8 on a partial scholarship.
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.