Pianist Stephanie Tang wins Guildhall Gold Medal

Pianist Stephanie Tang has been announced as the winner of this year’s Gold Medal, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama top music prize. Tang celebrated her win with a performance at the Barbican with the Guildhall Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Adrian Leaper.

Tang beat finalists William Bracken (piano) and Kryštof Kohout (violin), with her performance of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No.1 in D Minor at the competition final, which was streamed online and is available on Guildhall website until 25 May.

Tang said: ‘It was so exhilarating and exciting to take on the Brahms Piano Concerto No.1 with the orchestra for such a warm and receptive audience. Will Bracken and Kryštof Kohout gave exceptional performances, and I was very touched by the comradery and support we had for each other throughout the whole experience. If I could share the Gold Medal with them, I would!’

The three finalists performed in front of a panel of judges including Emma Bloxham, editor of the BBC New Generation Artists Scheme; John Gilhooly CBE, artistic and executive director of Wigmore Hall, Adrian Leaper, conductor and Guildhalls’ interim director of music and head of vocal studies. Conductor Jessica Cottis was also due to judge the competition but had to withdraw following a positive covid test result. Angela Dixon, chief executive of Saffron Hall took her place on the panel.

The Gold Medal award has continued annually, uninterrupted since it was founded and endowed by Sir H. Dixon Kimber in 1915. It is open to singers and instrumentalists in alternate years (singers one year, instrumentalists the next). A list of previous winners can be found here.

Originally from Los Angeles, Tang gave her first performance in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall at the age of 12 and at 16, made her orchestral solo debut with the West Covina Symphony Orchestra. She is a member of the London-based Paddington Trio, which recently won the Strings And Keyboard Ensembles Prize at the ROSL Annual Music Competition.

Tang studied at the Shenzhen Arts School in China before completing a Bachelor of Music at the Colburn Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music at the Yale School of Music. She is now in her second year of Artist Diploma studies at Guildhall.

Adrian Leaper, conductor and jury member, said: ‘The professionalism and musicianship that all performers demonstrated was wonderful and made for a truly special concert to be a part of. I am delighted that my fellow judges and I selected Stephanie as the winner of this prestigious prize - her performance was impeccably executed, a worthy and gracious winner. I am looking forward to seeing what is next in her career.’

You can find out more about the Guildhall School of Music & Drama’s Gold Medal here