YMF Showcase, 2005
JAMES BAILLIEU, one of South Africa’s top young pianists and accompanists, received the Bachelor of Music (Performance) degree with distinction at the University of Cape Town in 2004. He studied piano under Graham Fitch and François du Toit, and the clarinet under Jimmy Reinders. Before enrolling at UCT, he completed an Individualised Programme of Study in piano and accompaniment in 2001 at Trinity College of Music, London, where he also participated in master classes given by Martino Tirimo, Phillip Fowke, Steven Bishop, Alfred Brendel and John Bingham. On his return to South Africa James received Trinity College Licentiates in both piano and clarinet with the highest distinction.
As a distinguished music student at UCT he was awarded all the piano prizes, including the Contrapuntal Prize, the Sonata Prize, the Concerto Prize, the Class Medal and the Leonard Hall and Johnny Windham scholarships. He won the first Laura Searle Piano Competition and was the winner of the piano category in the Eric Chisholm Centenary Competition. He also won the Stellenbosch Conservatoire’s Rachmaninov Piano Competition in 2003.
In May last year James participated in the International Russian Piano Competition in California at which as a laureate he was awarded a scholarship to study in Vienna. At the Vienna International Pianists Academy he was awarded the Rosario Marciano prize for an eminent artistic personality.
James has received a full scholarship from the Royal Academy of Music in London and is completing his postgraduate studies with Michael Dussek and Kathryn Stott as well as continuing his performing and accompanying career that is already under way in Europe, Asia and the United States.