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Dominic Downs

Pianist, Composer, Conductor

Currently studying piano at the Royal Northern College of Music under Dr Murray McLachlan, and with Prof Danny Driver of the Royal College of Music Dominic is a prize-winning pianist and composer and experienced performer, who featured on BBC1 in October 2023, where he was described as, ‘an exceptional talent with a bright future ahead of him’. Dominic is a regular classical recitalist and concert pianist, fully booked until spring 2026, with performances around the UK. Dominic also has a busy teaching schedule, working with advanced pianists and delivering master classes and workshops and is the Music Director of the Lancaster Millenium Choir.
In the Beginning
As the youngest of seven children Dominic had to wait until almost 8 years old before his first piano lessons. His first public performance took place eight weeks later, when he performed his own nine variations on the nursery rhyme ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’. He moved to Manchester in 2015, having gained a scholarship at Chetham’s School of Music.
Developing as a musician
At Chetham’s Dominic studied piano with Marie-Louise Taylor and Jonathan Middleton, jazz piano with Les Chisnell, and composition with Dr Jeremy Pike. In September 2023 Dominic was awarded a scholarship to Royal College of Music in London for composition, but took up a place piano at Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Dominic has studied with Kathron Sturrock (RCM), and has had lessons with Martin Roscoe, Peter Donohoe, Paul Lewis, Graham Scott, Joanna McGregor, Dina Parakhina and Alexandra Dariescou. As a pianist with ADHD Dominic works with the ADHD foundation to raise awareness of the condition through his performances and has been awarded a scholarship to develop this work further through his project, ‘The Melting Pot’, which will premiere in Nov 2025.

Awards and Prizes
December 2024 ADHD Foundation – ‘The Melting Pot’ composition and performance project (£6500)
EPTA 2024, Winner 18+ category Manchester
RNCM ‘Under-represented’ Performance Prize (1st) (2023)
The Steele prize for composition (2022)
Commissioned fanfare for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, performed for the Royal Family in June 2022
Winner Chetham’s Carol Composition Competitions 2016, 2018 and 2021

Performing on 23/02/2025

Dominic Downs
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