Ten-year-old from Cyprus wins Grand Prix at London piano competition

Music LondonmusicTop News Ten-year-old from Cyprus wins Grand Prix at London piano competition Screenshot 20260702 165213 Gallery Relevant News Ten-year-old from Cyprus wins Grand Prix at London piano competition 14 July 2026 Hotel workers’ union links Xylophagou brawl to illegal labour subletting 14 July 2026 Cyprus summer 2026: your guide to the season’s festivals 14 July 2026 newsroom 14 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Ten-year-old Leonidas Nicolaou from Cyprus has won the Grand Prix at an international piano competition held at Duke’s Hall, Royal Academy of Music, in London, a press release announcing the achievement said. The young musician performed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca from Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K.331, earning the highest distinction in his age category. The competition brought together 35 young pianists from around the world, with Leonidas the only participant representing Cyprus, and in the eight to ten years category, twelve young musicians competed before the jury awarded him the Grand Prix, the competition’s highest honour. According to the press release, Leonidas’ family said the announcement of the results brought overwhelming emotions, describing a moment of joy, relief after months of preparation, pride in the work invested, and even a sense of disbelief. How his passion began Leonidas’ parents recall that he was fascinated by musical instruments from around one and a half to two years old, shortly after learning to walk, spending long periods exploring guitar strings and piano keys, the press release said. He began studying the piano at the age of five and has continued ever since, practising at least one and a half hours every day and taking lessons with his teacher three times a week. Leonidas has said he has never regarded music as an obligation, describing it instead as what he loves most. He felt nervous before stepping onto the stage in London, the press release added, but the excitement followed months of dedicated preparation. According to the press release, Leonidas has previously performed at international competitions in Austria and Germany. He sings in a children’s choir and takes part in concert projects with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, while combining his musical activities with his studies at GC School of Careers. He is also a member of the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra Academy, where he studies the double bass. His greatest dream, the press release said, is to one day perform as a solo pianist with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. Support from benefactors after the win The trip to London was financed entirely by Leonidas’ family, without government or external financial support, the press release said. According to the press release, following his performance in London, renowned pianist and professor Grigory Gruzman, based in Germany, invited Leonidas to take part in individual masterclasses, begin online lessons, and work on a new concert repertoire. Gruzman described the achievement, the press release said, as an important milestone that has opened new opportunities and promising prospects for the young musician’s future artistic development. The press release also said Leonidas found his first benefactors following his London performance. Dr Katherine Annabel from Limassol and her parents provided a MacBook for his online lessons with Professor Gruzman and covered his annual tuition. The family said this support reflects the benefactors’ belief in Leonidas’ talent and will help him continue his development and represent Cyprus internationally. According to the press release, Leonidas’ family credited his success to his own hard work as well as the professionalism and commitment of his piano teacher, expressing gratitude for her dedication, patience and contribution to his growth as a young musician. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Hotel workers’ union links Xylophagou brawl to illegal labour subletting Cyprus summer 2026: your guide to the season’s festivals Cyprus weather: mostly clear skies, highs of 39C inland today Limassol man remanded over alleged rape and sexual abuse of mother-in-law Autopsy confirms head injury killed British boy, 3, in Paphos hotel fall Cyprus schools to teach AI from September, as legislation delayed to 2028 Why your power bank could be a fire hazard on your next flight — and what the rules say Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.