84-year-old piano teacher honoured in Classical Music Digital Award 2020
Shirley Roberts was introduced to video calls a week before the first UK lockdown
Last updated 6th Jan 2021
An 84 year old piano teacher who continued to teach via Facetime only because a friend had given her an iPad a week before the first UK national lockdown, has been honoured in the Classical Music Digital Awards.
Shirley Roberts was introduced to an iPad by her friend Shirley Jones.
"We spent about two hours together practicing 'calling' family members, not realising at the time, that it would be the one and only iPad lesson she would receive before lockdown was announced.
"Despite some teething problems, Mrs Roberts continued to teach piano throughout this year, including preparing pupils for exams including two at grade 8 level, using the iPad and Facetime platform.
"If she encountered internet problems, the lesson continued by phone. She is a true example of determination and adaptability. ICT was not something Mrs Roberts had ever felt the need to embrace prior to Covid19 restrictions, but now, she and her pupils are all stars!”
The full list of winners are detailed below:
Lockdown Project – Choir The Stay at Home Choir
Lockdown Project – Ensemble UriPoste Jukebox (Tom Poster Elena Urioste)
Lockdown Project – Musician Tony Woodward – Mozart Requiem for Cello
Lockdown Project – Opera Vopera’s ‘L’enfant et les sortileges’ with LPO
Lockdown Project – Orchestra Royal Scottish Orchestra - RSNO At Home
Lockdown Project – Youth New York Youth Symphony
Podcast Three in A Bar
Digital Concert Platform Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Community Project Ex Cathedra - Singing Medicine
Livestreamed Series Royal Northern College of Music - #LiveFromTheRNCM
Cinematography Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Digital Innovation Tidze
Digital Project Choir Choirs For Good Virtual Choir (and the West End Orchestra of Wales): 'A Broadway Christmas' Project
Digital Project Ensemble London Handel Festival - Messiah Reimagined
Digital Project Musician Maria Marchant
Digital Project Opera Scottish Opera – The Narcissistic Fish
Digital Project Orchestra LA Phil – SOUND/STAGE
Digital Project – Youth organisation National Children’s Orchestra
Choir of the Year The Gesualdo Six
Creator of the Year Esther Abrami
Ensemble of the Year London Mozart Players
Musician of the Year Jamie Hall
Opera Company of the Year Northern Opera Company
International Soloist of the Year Igor Levit
Orchestra of the Year Philharmonia Orchestra
Youth Organisation of the Year Lincolnshire Music Service
Teacher of the Year Shirley Roberts