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Single-Handed Pianist Makes History at 17
13 Jul
Summary
- A 17-year-old achieved a historic Grade 8 piano distinction with a left-hand-only repertoire.
- She is the first pianist known to ABRSM to pass Grade 8 with a single-hand focus.
- Her achievement led to ABRSM introducing one-hand repertoire lists across all grades.
A 17-year-old musician, Freya Terris of Lisburn, County Down, has achieved a groundbreaking Grade 8 piano distinction, a first for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Freya accomplished this remarkable feat with a repertoire exclusively for her left hand, following a two-year period where an injury and surgery impacted her right hand's functionality.
Initially facing the challenge of a long-term injury, Freya explored music written for the left hand, developing a unique technique. After discussions with ABRSM, she was provided with a list of left-hand-only pieces to perform. Her success not only marked a personal triumph but also influenced ABRSM's syllabus.
As a result of Freya's pioneering effort, ABRSM published its new 2027-28 syllabus in June 2026, introducing dedicated one-hand repertoire lists for Grades 1 through 8. This inclusion means that one-handed pianists now have recognized qualification pathways in all 93 countries where ABRSM operates, inspiring future generations of musicians.
