A PROMISING pianist is one of the youngest in the world to be awarded a prestigious diploma after performing a 35-minute recital in front of examiners.

James Chen was presented with the award from the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music (DipABRSM) just eight months after completing his Grade 8 exam.

The ten-year-old, of Stockton, started playing as a six-year-old, but has already achieved the performance level of student completing the first year of study at a music college.

His teacher, Barbara White said: “James came to me in April 2012, started to explore a vast amount of repertoire with me and also began to compete and perform in public, achieving a great deal of success.

“I am thrilled to witness his latest remarkable achievement. James clearly has a wonderful gift for classical music and immerses himself in his performances. He is also such a determined young person, with a real passion to learn.

“Despite his high level of achievement on the piano, violin and academically across the board, he is very polite and humble and never feels the needs to boast about anything.”

The youngster, who also gained 144 for his Grade 5 violin earlier this year, started at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester this September to study piano, violin and composition.