It has been a very busy Spring! 2026 began with a wedding open day at beautiful Minterne House in Dorset. It was lovely to meet for the first time a bride whose wedding I will be playing for in May, as well as networking with other wedding suppliers.
In February I returned to Westlands Entertainment Centre in Yeovil to play for their Piano Nights series with my customary mix of classical, pop and jazz music. On this occasion a journalist from the iPaper happened to be in the audience, he particularly liked my version of Radiohead’s No Surprises! He also asked for my views on the possible closure of the Leonardo helicopter factory in Yeovil: I was actually quoted in the newspaper the following week, something I didn’t expect to see!
March was extremely busy. First a return visit to Minterne House with my digital piano to play for a Mother’s Day tea, which was a lovely, gentle occasion. The same week, I travelled to Highbridge Festival where my students were awarded 2 gold medals, 2 silver medals and 3 bronze medals. Adam Dance, our local MP wrote to me to offer his congratulations, which was unexpected but much appreciated. Then later in the week I played for a wedding at Brympton House on a lovely sunny afternoon. The bride had requested just classical music, which I was very happy to play. As the acoustic piano in the venue was broken, I had to take my digital piano with me but it all went very well and the couple were happy with the music I provided.
I returned to Westlands in April to a lovely crowd of regular attendees and some new faces too. Several people asked about the pieces I had played and there was some lovely feedback in general so it was a great night.
I think it is worth mentioning that some sad individual somewhere in the world had obviously objected to a painting of Russia I attached to one of my Facebook reels where I had played a piece of Rachmaninov – the photo was taken down. I wish people would make the distinction between politics and culture and get over themselves – music and art have nothing to do with war.
And finally, two of my pupils passed their ABRSM Grade 7 and Grade 2 piano exams with Merits.