Sam Leak

Zhenyan Li

London-based Chinese composer Zhenyan Li talks to Francesca Christmas about finding her voice as a composer, and how her work is inspired by elements of theatre and film. She discusses the ways in which her teachers encouraged her to be brave as a musician, and how she hopes her pieces can inspire students in the same way.   Zhenyan Li  has written two pieces for Trinity’s new piano syllabus: "A Peculiar Party" (Grade 1) and "Investigations" (Grade 8). Find out which opera performance and television series inspired the two pieces. See more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Trinity College London Piano ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/piano] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Piano Exams from 2023 | Trinity College London shop⁠⁠ [https://shop.trinitycollege.com/shop/powersearch/powersearch_results?catid=102316] Zhenyan Li [ https://www.zhenyanli.com/]

Gillian Walshaw

Cellist, music educator and composer Gill Walshaw talks about her career journey and how a chance opportunity at school ignited a life-long love for music. Gill, who has has written the Initial Grade piece "Train Ride" for Trinity's 2023 Piano Syllabus, shares her thoughts on the piece and how it can inspire young learners. Gill's arrangements for the syllabus also include "I Heard it through the Grapevine" for Grade 1 and "Writing's on the Wall" for Grade 2.  See more: ⁠⁠⁠Trinity College London Piano ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/piano] ⁠⁠⁠Piano Exams from 2023 | Trinity College London shop⁠ [https://shop.trinitycollege.com/shop/powersearch/powersearch_results?catid=102316]

Sam Leak

Jazz pianist Sam Leak talks to Francesca Christmas about his musical journey and the teachers and fellow musicians who have inspired him. Sam, who has arranged Duke Ellington’s "Don’t Mean a Thing" for Grade 2 in the 2023 Piano Syllabus, discusses how he worked to retain the sound and integrity of the original piece whilst meeting the parameters of the grade.     See more: ⁠⁠Trinity College London Piano ⁠⁠ [https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/piano] ⁠⁠Piano Exams from 2023 | Trinity College London shop [https://shop.trinitycollege.com/shop/powersearch/powersearch_results?catid=102316]

Mari Sainio

Finnish composer Mari Sainio talks about how an early love for improvisation and making her own arrangements led her to a career as a composer. Mari shares her tips for motivating students and encouraging them to compose their own pieces and bring into exams.  Mari describes herself as a storytelling composer who draws inspiration from Nordic nature and landscapes, something which is reflected in her two pieces for the Trinity 2023 Syllabus: "Snowfall" for Grade 6 and "Mountain Spirit" for Grade 3.  Mari has also arranged a number of pop pieces across the grades.   See more: ⁠Trinity College London Piano ⁠ [https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/piano] ⁠Piano Exams from 2023 | Trinity College London shop [https://shop.trinitycollege.com/shop/powersearch/powersearch_results?catid=102316] marisainio.com [https://www.marisainio.com/]

Julian Joseph

Julian Joseph, jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster, educator and author, talks to Francesca Christmas about the process of composition and his deep commitment to music education through the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy. Julian has contributed his arrangement of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s ‘Deep River’ to the Grade 8 repertoire in Trinity’s 2023 Piano Syllabus.  See more: Trinity College London Piano  [https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/piano] Piano Exams from 2023 | Trinity College London shop [https://shop.trinitycollege.com/shop/powersearch/powersearch_results?catid=102316] julianjoseph.com [https://www.julianjoseph.com/]