Robert Wolstenholme LLCM
A popular performer at our Festival in 2019, Robert Wolstenholme is an extremely talented pianist who has performed many times with the Inyerface Arts group over the last five years or so.
We got to know Robert through our work with LCM examinations which Inyerface Arts manage in Sheffield, Barnsley & Chesterfield. Robert’s story is one of hard work, persistence and outstanding achievement as Robert is just 20 years old and struggles with many of the disabilities of autism. Robert is hypersensitive to sound and when he was young this presented many problems with everyday sounds such as fire alarms, sirens, and bells. As Robert got older, he found he had the ability to recreate music from radio and television on the piano, and he started to play by ear.
He started having piano lessons from the age of 8 with his first piano teacher Mary Burgin following the London College of Music piano syllabus and the support and encouragement that LCM have given Robert have been an important part of his success’.
Robert attained distinctions in virtually all examinations from Step 1 through to Grade 8, and he has attained Dip LCM, ALCM and LLCM under tutelage of Gavin Egan and James Taylor. He is now working towards FLCM under James’ guidance.
The piano has given Robert the opportunity for independence as a professional musician.
He is now teaching piano himself and has already entered his own students for LCM examinations. He started teaching just over two years ago and has already helped his young students attain excellent results in LCM examinations.
Robert himself has won prizes in the LCM Sheffield & Chesterfield annual Awards Evening for 4 years running from 2014 to 2018 performing to an enthusiastic audience on each occasion. He has a repertoire of over 80 pieces which he regularly performs to an excellent standard in local concerts.
His outstanding drive, determination and desire to achieve has enabled him reaching his full potential at school and helped build confidence to break down the barriers of being autistic.
He has also been very active in fundraising for the National Autistic Society and has raised over £10.000 in the last 4 years playing at Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre Sheffield. He has now released an album Emotions with all funds raised being donated to NAS. This is available to download from iTtunes or Amazon.
Robert has been a pleasure to work with over the years and his achievements are certainly richly deserved. He has performed with us on many occasions and last year after playing at Fox Valley on the Saturday afternoon, he gave a short recital to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience at the Valley Music Festival Saturday Night Concert.
We look forward to continuing to work with Robert and wish him every success in the future.