Triumphing at the 2016 Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year awards has opened many doors for acclaimed pianist Adam Heron, who recently performed in the Keyboard Category Final of BBC Young Musician 2018, which was broadcast on BBC Four Television. A man in demand, Adam’s journey from promising youngster to prodigious talent is a remarkable story.

While studying at Cheltenham’s St James’ School, Adam put his name forward for a draw that the school were running to win an old piano that needed a needed a new home. Fortunately for him his name was pulled from the hat and a decade later he’s now one of the leading young pianists in the country.

Adam explained: “I was eight years old at the time, I put my name forward for a piano that the school were looking to get rid of. I was told my name was drawn out so the piano was mine. I still have it, it’s a bit old and a bit decrepit but I’ve so many good memories of playing it, I don’t think I could ever be without it. It was only when I was fifteen or sixteen that I started to practise properly. I knew then that the piano was the instrument for me, so I worked as hard as I could and started to improve.”

The young pianist recently had the pleasure of playing on one of the most famous pianos in Britain. Adam continued: “I was invited by the Gustav Holst Birthplace Museum to play on the very same piano that Holst composed ‘The Planets’ on. It was a total thrill and an honour. ‘The Planets’ is one of my favourite pieces of music so to sit down and use the piano that Gustav Holst composed his masterpiece on was a real privilege.

“I’ve been so lucky to have played in some of the best orchestras in the county, including the Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra and I’ll be playing with the Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra next year. These are all events that have happened off the back of me winning the award back in 2016.”

Despite travelling abroad and playing some of the most famous musical venues – recent overseas engagements include a concert at the residence of the British Ambassador in Kiev – Adam says it’s a venue much closer to home that holds a special place in his heart. He said: “I’ve been extraordinarily lucky to have played at some of the most famous music venues but if you ask me my favourite I’d say the Town Hall in Cheltenham. The acoustics are simply magnificent and it’s always a delight to play in front of a hometown audience.

Getting to travel abroad and play at some of the most famous music venues is a dream but I think any aspiring musician always wants to push themselves further and I’m no different. I want to travel more, I want to play more, I don’t think there will ever come a point where I sit down and think I’ve made it.

“I always get nervous before a performance, I think nerves are a good thing and completely normal. Being in front of a crowd, whether you are delivering a speech or playing a piano, is a daunting experience. There are ways you can bring nerves under control – I do breathing exercises which are great in calming the nerves.”

Speaking at an event designed to inspire the next generation of young musicians in Gloucestershire, Adam said it’s vital children are given opportunities to develop their musical talent. He continued: “I’ve been very lucky to have been taught by some of the most talented musicians in Gloucestershire. It’s important children get the chance to learn and play as often as they can. For any aspiring musicians I say love what you do and really push yourself to be the best.”