A TEENAGE pianist who has enjoyed universal praise for his talents is gearing up to take on the Young Musician of the Year final.

Dollar Academy’s Fergus McCreadie has been acknowledged over the past year for his stunning virtuosity in performances with DAJO, FYJO, and as a solo artist, culminating in the well-deserved title of Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2013 (Under 17).

So impressed were the judges by his performance in the Aberdeen final (recorded live on BBC Radio Scotland) that he was invited to compete in the Under 23 final and since then has performed live on BBC Radio Scotland’s Jazz House.

The 16-year-old is following in the footsteps of former pupils Jamie Anderson (tenor saxophone), Tom Adamson (piano and drums), Iain Campbell (guitar) Euan Stevenson (piano), and Jonathan Silk (drums) who have all gone on to carve very successful careers in the music profession.

Speaking of the future, Fergus – who practices up to six hours a day in holiday periods and two hours during term time – says his immediate focus is on the Young Musician of the Year final which will take place in Cardiff. Thereafter, the Dollar musician is looking forward to starting his studies with the Royal Conservatiore of Scotland in September and beyond this hopes to study in New York at some point in the future, whilst exploring other musical avenues.

Commenting on Fergus’s achievements, Mr John McGonigle, Director of Music at Dollar Academy, said, “Fergus is a stunning performer – and this is not a term I use loosely. He simply has to be heard to be believed.”