ACCOMPLISHED pianist and A Level student Matthew Powell today deferred his place at university to share his love of music on the open seas as a cruise ship performer. 

The 18 year old from Consett, in County Durham, who last year was awarded an impressive ARSM Performance Diploma – an award for musicians working beyond Grade 8 –achieved an A in Music at Dame Allan’s Schools, in Newcastle. 

A pianist at Hardwick Hall Hotel, in Sedgefield, Matthew successfully auditioned with a leading global cruise line company and plans to work as a cruise line piano performer during his gap year, before heading to the University of York next year to take a BA (Hons) in Music. 

He said: “I’m so relieved that I’ve secured my place at York and, after a tricky few years, I’m really happy with my A in Music. I’m looking forward to starting my degree next September. 

“In the meantime, I plan to pack as much into my gap year as possible, to allow me to gain experience as a pianist before studying music at greater depth at university. Looking ahead, I have loved musical theatre for years, so my dream job would be as a theatre pianist performing in the orchestra pit.” 

At a young age, Matthew was inspired to play piano by his own mother, Rebecca Powell, a talented pianist who also reached Grade 8 and took a degree in music at Newcastle University. He started lessons at the age of eight, and, at Dame Allan’s, was one of the highest achieving pianists under the tuition of piano teacher Agi Gilbert.

In December 2022, Matthew successfully demonstrated his skill to be awarded a Performance Diploma by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. 

He said: “I can’t thank Mrs Gilbert enough for the amount of work she put in to help get me where I am today, from providing me with video lessons during Covid restrictions, to coming into school on her days off to ensure I was thoroughly prepared for every exam.”

While at Dame Allan’s Schools, Matthew performed in the Jazz Band, Ceilidh Band and Symphony Orchestra, as well as in numerous concerts and recitals. He played at the recent opening of Senior School’s Jubilee Building and at the last two Allanian dinners. 

Principal Will Scott said: “Matthew is a gifted pianist who has so often enraptured audiences with his music. He is thoroughly deserving of his place at York and we look forward to learning what the future holds for him in the music industry.”