This special feature centres on Rydal Penrhos’ incredible music department and the pupils that are thriving under the expert leadership of Pete Williams.

Niamh Cook (Year 12)

Niamh has been at Rydal Penrhos for the entirety of her education and has developed into a truly magnificent musician.

The Lower Sixth Form pupil joined the Prep School as a Reception class child in 2005, developing her academic prowess, and it was not long before her love and talent for music came to the fore.

Her piano playing has been a notable highlight of this, with Niamh wowing audiences at various concerts put on during the academic year and drawing widespread praise for her poise in front of a live crowd.

Niamh has an exceptional grasp of compositions, which was reflected in the pupil attaining a Distinction in her Grade 8 piano examination administered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools’ of Music.

She has also developed her Clarinet playing extremely well in recent years, and Niamh can now boast a Grade 8 ABRSM Distinction in this particular instrument.

The teenager produced an incredible performance in front of adjudicators to secure 132 out of a possible 150 marks.

Niamh is working towards her ABRSM diplomas in piano and clarinet, putting in a significant amount of work alongside her A Level studies.

The pupil is also a very talented artist and has been a big part of Rydal Penrhos’ Sixth Form Charity Committee during the last few months.