Joining the “youngest club” of the 2024 National Youth Music Competition (NYMC), the non-conforming pianist, Christian-Peter Hiemstra, 14, doesn’t have other classical musicians in his family. He is currently studying at the London Royal College of Music.

But, he has a four-century-deep root in the art of music. “The 16th century baroque composer and organist Michael Praetorius, is one of my ancestors,” says the young rising star.

On a question about what his strategy is to win the NYMC, the young pianist craftily replies: “If I wanted to win the NYMC, I would not be sharing my strategy.”

He says that he has been playing music for as long as he can remember. His first music teacher was British pianist Natalia Williams-Wandoch. Currently, he is tutored by Thai-British musician, composer, pianist, and fortepianist, Prach Boondiskulchok.

Christian-Peter practices on average three hours per day although this duration could vary. His favourite musical instrument is the fortepiano, an early form of the piano originating in the 18th and early 19th centuries and having a smaller range and softer timbre than a modern piano.

The talented pianist describes the colour of his music as lavender. “Lavender incorporates the full spectrum from the anger of red to the sadness of blue that comes from the injustice in the world. Yet it is light and calm, and carries the full range of human emotions,” he explains.

With the life motto of “doing things differently”, he describes himself as a non-conformist. Apart from his dedication to music, Christian-Peter's extra mural activities include sailing, mountain biking and software development.

His favourite composer is German composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

“Bach is the father of all that is interesting in music. He created the harmonic foundations of all music we know today. He also gave glory to God with everything he composed,” he enthuses.

Christian-Peter’s plans for the future? “I still have some time to decide.”