SEAN age 27 from Edinburgh. Sean won in the third week at Glasgow Station. He said ‘It is wonderful to have my unique and original music be appreciated and held in high esteem by fellow musicians’.

Congratulations on being chosen to perform at the Royal Festival Hall, how did it feel finding out that Lang Lang and Mika had been watching and that they had chosen you to perform at their special concert?

I thought I was just going to present some of my work on a piano at a train station on a normal day, so it was a shock to find out that Lang Lang and Mika had been watching my performance, but a good shock.

When did you first start playing, are you self taught? When did you start composing your own music?

I am self taught, and I started playing at 6 years old, and I started composing my own music about the same time to understand how music works. It was educational for me.

How did you feel meeting Claudia for the first time at Glasgow Central Station, were you nervous?

No I didn’t really know who Claudia was so no nerves there, and she was so lovely when I met her I felt like I knew her already!

Were you aware of how the crowd were responding to your performance? How did it feel when you heard the applause?

My whole life has revolved around being a good performer, and when I perform I watch the audience out of the corner of my eye. I process the feedback to see what they are feeling, and I will change a piece on the spot to ensure the audience is captivated. It is a good feeling when people appreciate my music as then I know I am doing something right.

Have you ever played the piano at a train station before?

As you can imagine I am always pleased to be heading to pianos at train stations across the country from London to Edinburgh. If I see one, if it’s free and I have time I’m jumping on it!

Why did you want to take part in The Piano?

I am not the kind of person to turn down any kind of collaboration, so when I met the producers, I found they were brilliant and really good at expressing the same sentiment and love I have for the instrument. I was more than happy to be involved with like-minded people to show what the piano can do for everyone.

How did you feel about being mentored by Mika ahead of your performance at The Royal Festival Hall?

To work with someone like Mika was unique, I was so thankful to learn from him as he is brilliant at conveying his emotions through his music.

The time I had was a real masterclass. I usually play in really loud bands, so I rarely have the opportunity to play in the way we did in that session.

Mika and Lang Lang are performing and providing a service to the absolute best of their ability, aiming to achieve a standard that is world class. Should we all not hold those standards in our own goods and services for each other?

Were you nervous ahead of performing at The Royal Festival Hall or did the adrenaline take over? How were your fellow pianists ahead of performing, were you all able to support each other?

It is a skill within itself as a performer to control your nerves. You have two different chemicals in your body: adrenaline and cortisol, and when you are performing you need to have a good control of those. It’s like training a muscle in your body so it is used to performing in front of an audience.

I loved meeting Jay and Danny it was like putting me through a friend finder, and to meet guys who are into the same stuff as me was amazing. We have great plans to work and perform together, and already have a project on the way. Watch this space!

Can you share a special moment that stands out for you from the evening?

For me speaking to Lang Lang after the concert, not as a maestro but as a person was special as he is so down to earth. In that moment he told to me I was built for the stage and to hear that from him was incredibly affirming.

How would you describe your style?

It’s best to listen to it to find out and decide for yourself!

The Piano has told your story so far, anything else to add?

It’s not over yet … I am still hanging on the edge of my seat. I am so happy the audience gets a chance to hear more from the incredible Lucy, who has opened a door for the public into neuro diversity, which is wonderful.

What do you hope is next for you? More music?

Well now I have a taste for venues like The Royal Festival Hall, so I am working hard to make sure it’s not a one off! I’d advise people to keep an eye on my social medias, there will be news coming.

Is the piano your one constant in your life?

The Piano has been a constant, I try to explore a wide range of creative practices including film, comedy and public engagements also.

With the piano, it’s important for me to be conscious of the balance between hobby and career, it has been with me for most of my life so where do you draw the line…

What did you learn from your experience on The Piano?

I learned so many amazing things working on this project, and it’s been a really good experience. So thank you Mika and Lang Lang, and I hope to see you again. A special thank you to Love Productions, one of the best tv companies I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

Tell us about your connection to the piano?

The piano is a means to an end as it is an end to itself, it’s a discipline but an unsolvable puzzle and there will always be something new to explore and new to create.