Piano Prodigy Sets Records: Curtis Elton

When Curtis Elton passed his Grade 8 music exam in piano last year, his parents and teachers were astonished.

But the nine-year-old has now gone one step better – by becoming the youngest person in the world to receive a degree-equivalent diploma.

The youngster gained an ATCL diploma – equivalent to a first-year degree – for his piano playing skills.

Curtis has been helped to develop his talent thanks to his concert-pianist mum Hayley Elton.

She also set records herself when she was the youngest person to gain entrance to the Guildhall School Of Music when she was just eight.

When Curtis was still a toddler, she noticed that as well as enjoying listening to her play, her son also had unusually high levels of concentration and focus.

Since then, his piano-playing skills have blossomed and he is now one of the best young pianists in the country.

This year, he has been nominated for a Nickelodeon Fruit Shoot skills award for the best rising star, invited to a Yamaha event to promote both a Disney film and GAP clothing and invited to take part in the London Master classes at the Royal College of Music with world renowned conductor Benjamin Zander.

Together with his mum, Curtis will release a CD in November.

It will feature fresh interpretations of much-loved classical pieces.