“It’s changed the way I play music”  

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Learning piano from the age of four and taking up the cello two years later, 15 year old Matias is a keen chamber musician and enjoys orchestra at the Junior Guildhall School of Music, which he’s attended for four years. Matias has been supported by AYM over those four years thanks to The Joan Scrutton Award.  

While he enjoys his studies it’s not been without its challenges: 

“Every Saturday I go to London by myself on the trains and tube to get to Junior Guildhall. My teacher gives me a lot of repertoire, so I always end up having to haul big, thick books around with my cello.” 

Thanks to AYM’s support, Matias has been able to purchase a digital music reader. 

“It can hold everything I need, significantly reducing the weight and making my journeys so much easier. I also don’t need to reach out to turn the page anymore, the reader does automatic page turning and makes my performances easier. I use it every day, its changed the way I play music!” 

Matias loves all genres of music and briefly learnt the drums and guitar. He comes from a musical family with all three of his siblings playing the piano and his two sisters also learning the violin. Indeed, AYM has also helped Matias’ sister Belle through the Awards programme. Matias accompanies his sisters whenever there is an opportunity! 

Through our concerts and Awards Days we give young people the chance to meet and collaborate with like-minded musicians and make long-lasting friendships. Matias recently performed at our autumn concert in collaboration with fellow AYM supported cellists Avram and Oliver.  

“It was an incredibly enjoyable experience. Thanks to AYM I was able to meet other amazing musicians that are just like me. It had been a long time since I had done something like this, and I didn’t realise how much I missed it!”  

Matias’ favourite musical memory is performing on top of the World Map at the Royal Museums, Greenwich, and he aspires to perform in all the great concert venues around the world, as both a cellist and pianist 

Without our generous supporters, we wouldn’t be able to help talented young musicians like Matias.