Young pianist Aidan Chan from Kilcock in Co Kildare did the double by winning the Trench Award and the Stage Guild Audience Award at the Birr Festival of Music Gala Concert over the May bank holiday weekend.
The Trend Award of €3500, adjudicated by a panel of three prominent international judges, is sponsored by the Trench Trust that aims to promote the professional development of young Irish musicians under 27 years of age.
The Audience Award was given to the contestant performer who received the most votes from the Gala Concert audience.
Aidan, 20, is a previous winner of the esteemed Father Frank Maher Classical Music Award, is currently studying Piano Performance at the world renowned Royal College of Music in London.
Over the past two years, Aidan, a former student at Scoil Dara Kilcock, has performed at prominent venues in Dublin, London, New York, Hong Kong and China.
Pics courtesy of Steve Chan
Photo of Maureen de Forge, director of the Birr Festival of Music, presenting the prize to Aidan at the Gala Performance Concer
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