I passed my Grade 8 piano exam with one hand
I passed my Grade 8 piano exam with one hand
A Unique Achievement
I passed my Grade 8 piano - Freya Terris, a 17-year-old from Lisburn, County Antrim, etched her name into the records of music education by earning a Grade 8 piano distinction with her left hand alone. Her accomplishment marks a rare milestone, as she is the first pianist recognized by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) to achieve this level using only one hand.
The Journey to Mastery
Two years ago, a long-term injury and subsequent surgery left Freya unable to use her right hand for piano playing. What once was a cherished hobby transformed into a challenge that many might deem insurmountable. Over the past two years, she dedicated herself to mastering a repertoire designed for the left hand, a shift she initially viewed as a temporary detour while awaiting recovery.
"My left hand could already play but not at all in the way that it now needs to," Freya explained. "I sort of stumbled into it and, without realising, built up that technique."
A Supportive Partnership
Freya’s teacher, Rory Dowse, played a pivotal role in her transformation. Together, they treated the injury as an opportunity to explore creative solutions, researching other single-handed pianists like Nicholas McCarthy and Leon Fleisher, who had carved out successful careers despite similar limitations. Dowse emphasized the importance of showing Freya that she was not alone in her journey. "I didn't want her to feel like, 'I'm the only one that is going through this, I'm the first person who has ever done this'," he said.
The Exam Process
After months of practicing and patiently waiting for her right hand to heal, Freya contacted ABRSM to inquire about adapting the exam requirements. The organization agreed, offering a list of pieces specifically composed for the left hand. "They were so encouraging, they were all up for it and just as excited as I was about it," she recalled.
"In my head, at one point, there was frustration that I was only playing this music because I can't play what I want to or what I used to play. That was hard," she explained.
Legacy and Determination
Freya’s achievement has sparked broader recognition within the music community. Dowse noted that the collaboration with ABRSM demonstrated the growing demand for one-handed repertoire, even at higher grade levels. "We weren't sure whether or not one person with one problem would even be considered," he said, adding that the support they received was both surprising and deeply appreciated.
Freya, who is also a two-time Young Musician finalist, described the outcome as a validation of her perseverance. "I was glad that I had been able to prove to them that the effort that they put in to making this exam possible for me was worth it by the result that I did get," she said. "I did feel like I owed it to all the people around me who had been so supportive in making sure that I did keep going."
Her mother, Susan Terris, praised Freya’s resilience. "She took it in her stride, as she does with most things, and she decided that she would find the solution to it along with her teacher," Susan said. "She's a very determined young lady who has pushed herself and keeps going. Any set backs that she has, she uses to her benefit to push herself forward and achieve her goals. Nothing will stand in her way."