Jayson Gillham (piano)
Australian pianist Jayson Gillham hails from the rural town of Dalby in Southern Queensland, and from his early teens travelled a 300-mile round trip to Brisbane each week for his piano lessons with Leah Horwitz at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. He enrolled in the Conservatorium's Bachelor of Music programme at the age of 17, graduating with the Queensland Conservatorium Medal for performance and academic excellence in 2007. In September 2007 Jayson relocated to the UK where he completed two years of postgraduate studies with Christopher Elton at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with a Master of Arts degree with distinction and the DipRAM award. Jayson's report from the Masters' examination panel stated, "Phenomenal, perhaps the finest final recital we can remember."
In October 2010 Jayson enjoyed great success in reaching the semi-finals of the Warsaw Chopin International Piano Competition. He is the first Australian to be able to claim such an achievement, in what is generally regarded as the greatest piano competition in the world. Broadcast live on television, radio and via the internet, Jayson's performances in the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall were heard and praised by listeners from around the world. Competition critic Michael Moran remarked on Jayson's playing: "The Australian Jayson Gillham I felt brought some much needed authentic Chopin expression… Marvellous 'laid back' approach to playing Chopin and a deep natural musicality. How refreshing… Reminded me at various moments so much of the moderation and taste of Artur Rubinstein - qualities in very short supply during this competition."
Jayson performs regularly across the UK, Europe and Australia. In May 2010 he made his US debut at Steinway Hall, New York. He is a regular performer at Wigmore Hall, and has appeared as soloist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the major Australian orchestras. In June 2011 Jayson performed for the first time in China, playing two Mozart concertos with the Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to his many solo and concerto performances, Jayson is an enthusiastic chamber musician and lieder accompanist.
Other notable competition successes include: First prize Australian National Piano Award (2008); First prize Prix d'AmadeO de Piano (2008, Aachen, Germany); Third prize London International Piano Competition (2005).