84-year-old piano teacher honoured in Classical Music Digital Award 2020 | Music

Shirley Roberts was introduced to video calls a week before the first UK lockdown

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