Amy Laurenson

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Amy, A Pianist From Shetland Named Young Traditional Musician 2023

Amy Laurenson

After fierce competition, Amy Laurenson was named BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician for 2023. A pianist who began playing traditional music to feel more connected to her home has received one of the genre’s most prestigious awards. 

The abilities of the 23-year-old defeated five other finalists at the City Halls in Glasgow. She received a recording session and performance opportunity that will advance her career as a musician.

Amy, a native of Shetland, relocated to Glasgow in 2017 in order to study classical piano at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

She switched fields and worked to achieve a first-class honors degree in traditional music after being enamored with the subject after two years of study.

She stated on BBC’s Good Morning Scotland that the victory was starting to set in.

“Being a part of the competition was such a wonderful experience, and just spending time with the incredible musicians and people I met along the journey was quite remarkable.”

Amy’s 10-minute performance began the process of the competition a year ago. Since November, when she was selected for the semifinals, she has been training for the final.

As part of Celtic Connections, six finalists performed for the live broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Alba.

Amy praised the exceptional abilities of her fellow contestants

“Everyone played so magnificently,” she added. “A number of very remarkable individuals participated in the competition. I believe that the current circumstance is really favorable. That there is so much creativity occurring inside the landscape is a sight to behold.”

Amy began playing the piano at the age of seven. Moving to Glasgow from Shetland sparked her interest in traditional music.

She stated,

“It was the link it gave me to my home.” “Being able to explore that connection via music is what initially drew me to traditional music, as Shetland is something I love and am drawn to.”

Amy has performed at a number of Shetland events, as well as Glasgow ceilidhs and sessions.

Amy receives a recording session with BBC Scotland, an opportunity to sing at the Scots Trad Music Awards later that year, and a membership to the Musicians Union for one year as part of the 2023 award.

She stated,

“It appears that a new chapter is beginning. This year, I hope to record some solo music and continue performing with my band.”

Amy quit her part-time job last week to pursue music full-time

The remaining five finalists were Orkney-born guitarist Aidan Moodie, Kirriemuir, Angus-born piper Ailis Sutherland, Islay-born singer Mairi McGillivray, Glasgow-based accordionist Sam Mabbett, and American fiddler Madeleine Stewart, who resides in Glasgow.

All finalists get a one-year membership to the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA) in addition to the chance to participate in the TMSA’s annual Young Trad Tour.

Since 2001, BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician competition has raised awareness of Scottish traditional music and recognized the genre’s developing talent.

The competition is known as one of the largest platforms for rising talent in traditional music and has propelled a number of Scottish traditional music practitioners to international prominence.

Amy Laurenson is the latest addition to a roster that includes the 2022 winner, fiddler Eryn Rae, pianist Michael Biggins, piper Ali Levack, fiddler Benedict Morris, and singer Hannah Rarity.

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