Biographical Info

Paul Janes is a graduate of both the RNCM and Manchester University, having studied on the Joint Course on an Associated Board Scholarship. He was the recipient of prestigious awards at both institutions, as well as several prizes in national and international competitions.

He now pursues a mixed ‘portfolio’ career as a teacher, performer, and examiner for ABRSM. As a performer he has a career of great versatility, encompassing solo performance, accompaniment, chamber music and orchestral work. He has performed widely in the UK and internationally, with notable performances at major venues such as Wigmore Hall, Cheltenham Festival and the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. As an orchestral pianist he works regularly with the BBC Philharmonic and the Halle, and has often featured in demanding solo roles including Stravinsky’s ‘Petrouchka’. His playing can be heard on several BBC Philharmonic recordings for Chandos, especially in works by Percy Grainger such as ‘The Warriors’. He has recently recorded instrumental works by the RNCM’s former Principal Edward Gregson (for Naxos), working with principal orchestral players from the BBC Philharmonic and Halle. As a solo pianist, Paul particularly enjoys the Viennese Classical repertoire of Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, as well as the repertoire of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

For ABRSM Paul works as an examiner, trainer, moderator and presenter, and has worked on many occasions on Professional Development courses for instrumental teachers.

Paul has a deep interest in the psychological aspects of learning and performance in music, including musical literacy, memorising, practice techniques and optimising personal performance.