New Steinway Scholar 25-26 announced

We are thrilled to share that Upper Sixth student Isaac has been named this year’s Trinity-Steinway Scholar. 

Isaac has thrived in Trinity’s piano community since he joined, and Head of Piano, Mr Richard Evans, says he has “always been a really committed musician” who has steadily pushed himself to a higher level. “He’s somebody who showed potential early on and is very ambitious,” Mr Evans explains, “and this year he’s taken it significantly further with greater intelligence, emotional depth, maturity and technical control. Isaac’s Mendelssohn in the final of the competition was excellent. It was a clear and obvious decision.” 

The Steinway Scholarship is deliberately challenging to earn; students must elevate themselves well beyond the already high standard of piano playing at Trinity. Isaac is no stranger to that journey, having auditioned three times previously. This year’s final was judged by Professor Mengyang Pan, from the Royal College of Music, who selected Isaac as the scholar for 2025. 

Isaac says his musical life began early. “I’ve been playing piano for a little over a decade. My mum encouraged me to start, and my whole family is musical, which really helped me grow.” Alongside piano, he plays violin, sings and has a particular love for jazz. “I discovered jazz four years ago, and I’m most interested in its developed harmony,” he says. 

“I’m really excited to be named Steinway Scholar. It gives me a great bridge from playing piano in school to doing it at music conservatoire after I leave. One of the things I am most looking forward to is playing a recital at Steinway Hall at the end of the year.” 

For Isaac, it feels like the perfect culmination of a Trinity musical journey that has taken him from performing in local care homes to spending three months singing in an opera in Sweden. “This recital will be a really special finisher to my time at school,” he says. 

Mr Evans adds that the scholarship will connect Isaac directly with senior conservatoire professors and the wider Steinway network, “all of which will be highly beneficial to his career in the future.” He concludes, “I’m looking forward to seeing him grow even further this year and develop into the fine musician he is.” 

Congratulations to Isaac, our new Trinity-Steinway Scholar.

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The annual Trinity-Steinway Scholarship is a unique award and collaboration between Trinity, Steinway & Sons and the Royal College of Music, supporting talented young pianists. Isaac will attend lessons with Professor Vanessa Latarche, Head of Piano, at the RCM, can use the grant to attend a masterclass of his choice and give recitals in the Trinity Piano Festival, will tour with elite musicians in 2026 and give a final performance at the Steinway Hall.   

Trinity became the first All Steinway School in London in 2012 and now benefits from an impressive fleet of 25 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.