AN ‘OUTSTANDING’ keyboard player from Rudheath has become the youngest ever to achieve a diploma-level qualification with distinction in her instrument at just 11 years old.
Maddison Thompson only took up the instrument two years ago, but took to it ‘like a duck to water’ according to her mum, Vikki Thompson.
The Weaverham High School pupil’s achievement is pretty remarkable considering most players don’t even think about taking a diploma-level qualification until they’re around 16.
Maddison has just one lesson a week at Knutsford Music Tuition with its director, Philip Brown, and practices around four days a week.
Vikki says she doesn’t need seem to need to practice more as every time her teacher put a piece of music in front of her, she can just play it.
Asked how she feels when she hears her daughter play, Vikki said: “It’s just amazing. I can’t tell you how proud we are.
Maddison started playing the keyboard just two years ago, but took to it ‘like a duck to water’, according to her mum, Vikki Thompson (Image: Vikki Thompson) “That’s said, she’s not all that fond of people listening to her play.
“Philip said he rarely puts anyone in for a diploma until they’re 16, but because she is so talented, he wanted to let her have a go.
“He said she had a small chance of scraping through, but when the result came back, he was absolutely astounded when she came out with a distinction.
“Music just clicked with her from day one really. Anything you put in front of her, she could play.
“When she asked for a keyboard for Christmas a few years back, we just thought it would be a fad.
“How wrong can you be.”
Maddison is interested in a career in music, and at the moment, would love to play in a pub, despite her shyness.
Vikki says she thinks her daughter is still a bit young for that, adding: “Maybe she’d feel a bit more relaxed around people she doesn’t know, but I’m just a bit worried it would put her off for life.”
Maddison’s keyboard teacher at Knutsford Music Tuition, Philip Brown, said: “Maddison is the youngest person I’ve ever taught to get to this level in more than 50 years of teaching.
“She’s excellent. Really quite outstanding.
“It could well be in the genes. I believe her uncle played keyboards on cruise liners, which is very competitive, so perhaps that’s where she gets her talent from.”