However, there was one instrument that has always been with me growing up and has never lost its place in my heart: the piano. No matter what was going on in my life, whether I was stressed, upset, frustrated or happy, I would always have the piano to express myself. It’s the one instrument which I disliked doing grades for: I much preferred using it as a tool for improvisation and composition. This led to the creation of my YouTube channel which currently has amassed over 1000 subscribers and will hopefully continue to grow to inspire more like-minded people to pursue music.
The channel TDunc Piano is where I post videos of my progress of learning songs and the compositions I am currently working on. It always makes my day when I get comments from people watching my content and telling me that they have started playing piano again and how it’s going.
This keeps me motivated to persevere and inspire more and more people. I started posting two years ago, however, I had to take a six month break due to my A Levels and have only just started up again. The channel has 200,000 views now and has reached 930,000 people and my goal has always been to create a community of people who enjoy music just as much as me who I hope to inspire to continue playing or start their own musical journey.
I remember the first day I got to use them, I rushed over to Music School to play and I was not disappointed.
While at Bradfield, I was fortunate enough to access the many Steinway pianos in Music School either in the Concert Hall or the practice rooms. I remember the first day I got to use them, I rushed over to Music School to play and I was not disappointed. The difference in quality was very noticeable and helped with learning more difficult pieces which had a massive impact on my channel.
Recently, I have begun playing arrangements of popular theme songs such as How to Train Your Dragon and Overwatch. Both arrangements rely on many relentless semiquaver passages which is where the Steinways really come into their own. While at Bradfield, the Steinways really helped with inspiration for my A Level compositions and I got much better at writing for piano because of them. It was a privilege having access to the grand pianos whenever I needed them, something that I am sure will not be as easy in the future.
I was so lucky to have the chance to play alongside many talented people at Bradfield, whether that be in an ensemble or playing Zadok the Priest in the College orchestra! I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the College and I will never forget the many fond memories I made over my five year journey.
I am ever grateful for all the times my teachers encouraged me to do things which I initially thought I would never do. It is during those times that you discover what you are passionate about and I am lucky to have found music.
