Michael Young
Finals Judge

Michael Young studied piano with Lilian Niblette and composition with Charles Hutchings. Following academic studies at university he continued his piano studies with David Parkhouse at the Royal College of Music, where he was a double prize winner, and he was also a finalist in the National Piano Concerto Competition in 1977.

He has performed regularly as recitalist, concerto soloist and in chamber music in Europe, USA and in SE Asia, giving many first performances and broadcasts of contemporary works as well as making a special study of the works of Korngold. He currently works in a number of duo partnerships including Christopher Horner (violin) and Ioan Davies (cello).

Michael Young has been active as a piano teacher for 35 years, and has given masterclasses and lectures on piano pedagogy all over the world. He was Head of Keyboard at Wells Cathedral School from 1980 to 2000, developing a department with an international reputation for excellence, and is now Professor of Piano at both the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Many of his former students have gone on to international success and careers as performers, and his vast experience as a teacher is put to good use at both conservatoires in lectures on the Art of Piano teaching. He is much in demand as a festival adjudicator, and is on both the Diploma and Presenter Panels of the ABRSM.