RCM Junior Department student, Jacky Zhang, wins first prize in ‘UK Piano Open’ International Piano Competition

Monday 14 December 2020

RCM Junior Department student, Jacky Zhang, was awarded the first prize in the ‘UK Piano Open’ International Piano Competition which was held in London from 27–29 November 2020.

12-year-old Jacky competed against other pianists aged up to 35 to win the first prize of €30,000. He will be invited to take part in the ‘Classic Piano’ Malta International Piano Competition in 2021 along with four other finalists from the ‘UK Piano Open’ International Piano Competition.

Miranda Francis, Head of Junior Programmes comments:

‘Jacky joined the Junior Department in 2015 and has gone from strength to strength as a musician and performer. I look forward to seeing where his talent takes him next.’

His competition success follows winning joint first prize at the 2019 III Vladimir Krainev Moscow International Piano Competition and being selected as a finalist for the Keyboard category in the 2020 BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition. Jacky is currently studying piano with Dimitri Alexeev and Jianing Kong, he is also a talented composer and conductor.

Professor Vanessa Latarche, Head of the Keyboard Faculty adds:

‘I am incredibly proud of Jacky. To achieve this level of performance at such a young age is a fantastic achievement.’

Find out more about the RCM Keyboard Faculty and explore the RCM Junior Department here.