A teenage pianist makes history by passing 8th grade ‘single-handedly’

Freya’s success was even more influential.

Rory Dowse said that when he first approached the exam board, he told them that he was thinking of one-handed music from grades 1-5.

Dowse said he believes that Freya’s cooperation with the teams will show them that he has a desire for high results.

“We weren’t sure if even one person with a problem would be considered, so we were very surprised and very grateful that they did,” he added.

In June 2026, ABRSM published their new 2027–28 curriculum, introducing a list of one-hand shows for grades 1 to 8 for the first time in the school’s 137-year history.

It now means that one-handed pianists can work to a recognized standard in all 93 countries where the board operates.

Freya added: “What you did meant a lot to me and it’s really exciting that this is something that other people can do.”

Freyam is a two-time Young Musician finalist, once as a double-hander and again at the 2025 Left-Handed Show.

After completing her final year at Friends School in Lisburn, she now plans to study music at university.