“He is an extraordinarily gifted pianist whose musical prowess, intelligence and commitment to his art place him at an exceptional level for pursuing an international career as a soloist in the years to come.” Marios Papadopoulos, Music Director of the Oxford Philomusica

“Disarmingly precocious” New York Times

Ashley Fripp has given solo and concerto performances in many of the most prestigious venues throughout the UK, such as the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, St. John’s Smith Square, Bridgewater Hall, Kings Place and Birmingham Symphony Hall. Recent international invitations have taken him to Warsaw and Żelazowa Wola, Poland; Stuttgart, Weimar and Regensburg, Germany; and Beijing and Shanghai, China.

He has won first prizes at more than a dozen national and international competitions, including the 1st Glasgow International Competition for Young Pianists in 2006, and most recently, the prestigious Award for Keyboard at the Royal Over-Seas League Competition 2011. He has also made appearances on BBC television and radio and gave two recitals in this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Born in Hampshire in 1989, Ashley studied piano at the Purcell School and the Royal College of Music Junior Department with Emily Jeffrey. During his time at the RCM he won the Marjorie Humby, Angela Bull, British Uruguayan Society, May Edwards, Teresa Carreño prizes and the Peter Morrison Concerto Competition. Upon leaving in July 2007, Ashley was presented with the Esther Coleman Prize, awarded to an outstanding student who has greatly contributed to the musical life of the Junior Department.

Ashley has recently graduated with First Class Honours from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he was also awarded the Concert Recital Diploma (Premier Prix) and the Kathleen Higginson Piano Prize for his achievements. In addition, he was the recipient of the Lord Mayor's Prize 2011. He is now continuing his studies there with Ronan O’Hora, provided with a full scholarship. Future engagements include solo recitals in venues throughout the UK including the Barbican Hall in London, performances in the Netherlands, Germany, Isle of Man, and at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall in New York, USA. 2012 will see the commercial release of a recording of both Chopin Piano Concertos in Germany.

Ashley Fripp gratefully acknowledges the generous support from the following:
 
The Craxton Memorial Trust
The Derek Butler Trust