Shantanu Patel(22), is an aspiring pianist from Ahmedabad, India. He began his journey in the music field from the age of 7 learning Harmonium in Hindustani Classical Music under a private tutor. At the age of 12, he moved on to Western Classical music, learning theory of music in Vibration Music classes and there he completed his grade 6 of music theory from ABRSM along with 7 grades of Digital Keyboard from Trinity College of Music examination board.
He began playing piano at the age of 17 and appeared for grade 3 ABRSM solo piano exam and passed with distinction. After completing his school studies in science stream, he pursued full time music education joining KM College of Music and Technology, Chennai founded by the Oscar Award winning film composer Dr. A.R. Rahman where he completed 3 years of BA(hons) Music specializing in piano performance under the tutelage of Dr. Adam Greig. At KMMC, he was awarded “The Best Performer of the year” award by Dr. A.R Rahman in all the three years of his study consecutively.
In Chennai, Shantanu also got his Level 1 certificate from Apple Logic pro and learnt programming, arranging and studio softwares at Audio Media Education. After completing three years at KMMC, under the transfer program affiliated with Middlesex University, he went to London to complete his final year of the degree and graduated with BA(hons) Music specializing in piano performance in July 2015. At Middlesex he learnt piano performance under Professor Laura O'Gorman.
In March 2015, he made his debut in concerto performance, playing Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor, K466 with The London Firebird Symphony Orchestra for which he composed hi own cadenzas. Currently, Shantanu is studying his Masters of Music specializing in advanced piano performance along with Conducting Skills at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on a partial scholarship awarded by the conservatoire. He is currently learning piano under Professor Fali Pavri and conducting under Nigel Boddice. He has performed at many occasions in the UK and India.
Shantanu is a versatile performer and performs repertoire ranging from Baroque to Modern 21st century music, but shows more interest towards the Romantic period music and French Impressionist Music by composers like Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Ravel and Messiaen. Shantanu also shows interests in composing and plays the Violin as well.
