Delighted to introduce Sarah Kendrick who came on the summer school with her son for the first time in 2023. Sarah is  a novelist with HarperCollins and writes under the name Mollie Kendrick.

6.5.25        Family holiday, or summer school?

For the next few years, Chetham’s will be Sam’s summer holiday. He has chosen, and I think will always choose, five days of total immersion in the piano over pretty much anything else. I could offer him  two weeks in the Maldives (well, I couldn’t, but if I could) and he would choose the summer school. My holiday will be accompanying him – sitting in on his lessons, going to the concerts, talking to other parents and other participants. It’s not exactly exotic, but it’s a world away from my daily life of writing novels and waiting for the breakthrough publication that means we can have expensive holidays again. And in many ways, that’s what it’s all about: the lifetime commitment to developing an art form will always, always involve sacrifice. And when you love it, it’s not even a sacrifice. It’s just what you do so you can pursue the thing you love, the thing that makes you you. 

24.3.25    Getting to Grips with Performance Anxiety at Chetham’s Piano Summer School

Overcoming performance anxiety has been a gradual process for Sam. Naturally, it has coincided with his increased love of the piano and passion for the pieces he has learnt to play since having his passion reignited last year. These things are all linked, and they all come down to the incredible experiences he has had at the summer school both times he has been. The lessons, the atmosphere and the support from everyone he met have combined to make him a much more confident performer and a more fearless pianist.

16.2.25 Forging New Friendships at Chetham’s Piano Summer School

For young pianists like Sam, who don’t go to specialist music schools, the summer school is a chance for them to really connect with children like them. The friendships formed here are based on a shared love of the piano, and are some of the most meaningful connections a young pianist can make.

10.2.25 Brilliant Workshops at the Summer School

This weeks 12 year old Sam writes about his love of the workshops on the summer school. You can hear his enthusiasm bubbling through every sentence!

29.1.25  The Lasting Flames of the Summer School

Last year’s experience was life-changing for Sam. It acted as rocket fuel, reigniting his passion and shooting him forwards into a new world that he loves. He can’t wait for the next one, and neither can I. 

Delighted to introduce Sarah Kendrick who came on the summer school with her son for the first time in 2023.

Read about her time in her new blog here Chetham’s Piano Summer School: My Experience at Chetham’s Piano Summer School

“an unforgettable experience, brought about not only by excellent organisation but by the trust and friendliness of
everyone”

“fantastic enriching experience”