Rising star and Leeds Conservatoire student, Ellis Arey will perform a solo piano concert at Seven showcasing a repertoire of Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Haydn York Bowen and Mompou. 

As third-time Victor of the 2024 Leeds Conservatoire Piano Competition sponsored by Besbrode Pianos, Ellis was awarded £500 prize money and the chance to star in his own solo performance. Seven Artspace provides the perfect backdrop, offering a tiered seating theatre with welcoming bar and restaurant.

Besbrode Pianos is excited to support Ellis Arey, a charismatic, young pianist that stands out from the crowd, who despite humble beginnings, has fought his way up to become an arresting performer.

Thanks to high profile appearances on TV and standout summer performances, since his last visit to Seven Artspace in 2023, Ellis's personal profile has taken a sudden upward trajectory. We invite you to witness a rising star in an intimate setting before his inevitable supernova.

Programme
Debussy - La Plus Que Lente
York Bowen - Romance in G Flat Major
Haydn - Variations in F Minor
Mompou - Prelude No.5
Chopin - Etude Op.25 No.25
Rachmaninoff - 2nd Sonata 2nd Movement arrangement Horowitz
Chopin - Ballade No.4 in F Minor

About Ellis Arey

Thanks to high profile appearances on TV and standout summer performances, Leeds Conservatoire student, Ellis Arey's personal profile has taken a sudden upward trajectory.

Starring in a Sky Arts short film celebrating Leeds city of Culture 2023, 'What's worth fighting for' focussed on Ellis and his two life passions as pianist and boxer and how these two seemingly paradoxical vocations have elevated him from humble beginnings on a council estate to a performer with real gumption.

In April 2024, the second series of the crowd-pleasing 'The Piano' aired on Channel 4, commencing in Manchester Piccadilly Station, Ellis wowed the judges and captivated the nation with his rendition of Chopin's behemoth 'Ballade No.4' with Lang Lang open-mouthed, describing him as 'fearless'.

In September, alongside The Leeds International Piano Competition 2024, Ellis performed on two occasions at the Pianodrome-built amphitheatre situated inside Leeds City Museum. Constructed from upcycled pianos, this became the performance space for supporting events around the competition welcoming former competition winners, celebrities and audience participation alike. Ellis played to a full house with a handful of fellow stars from 'The Piano' including Lucy Illingworth and series winner Brad Kellaher and a second occasion as a solo performer.

These recent events have culminated in 2024 with a four recording signing to Decca records with the potential of a full album deal, securing Ellis' brilliance to a wider, future audience.

Now auditioning for a Masters in piano performance, in the coming year Ellis hopes his application will accepted at one of the top Academies in the country.