Teenage pianist makes history as first to pass Grade 8 ‘single handed’

Freya’s achievement has had a wider impact.

Rory Dowse said when they initially contacted the exam board told them they had already been considering one-handed music for Grades 1-5.

Dowse said he believes Freya’s collaboration with the teams showed them that there was also demand for the higher grades as well.

“We weren’t sure whether or not one person with one problem would even be considered, so we were really surprised and really grateful whenever they did,” he added.

In June 2026, ABRSM published their new 2027–28 syllabus, introducing a dedicated one-hand repertoire list across Grades 1 to 8 for the first time in the school’s 137-year history.

It now means one-handed pianists can work towards a recognised qualification at every level in the 93 countries the board operates in.

“It’s meant a lot, for me, what they have done and it is really exciting that this is something that other people can do,” Freya added.

Freya is also a two-time Young Musician finalist, once with a two-handed repertoire and again in 2025 with a left-hand repertoire.

She is now planning to study music at university after she finishes her final year at Friends’ School in Lisburn.