Teddy Otieno

BMus Music (Hons)

Teddy moved from Kenya to the UK to pursue his dream of studying Piano Performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Initially self-taught through YouTube tutorials, Teddy drew keys on a piece of cardboard to practice. He then used his pocket money to access a keyboard at a local youth club in Nairobi, where he would spend hours developing his skills.

Arriving at RBC was a huge moment for Teddy, who was amazed by the facilities, opportunities and supportive community around him. One of his proudest moments during his time playing piano so far came when he performed a solo and receive his first standing ovation, earning recognition from a European audience.

Additionally, Teddy became a finalist on Channel 4’s “The Piano” in 2024, a televised show designed to unearth some of Britain’s best amateur pianists. He got the chance to play to his idol, Lang Lang, following encouragement to enter the show by his tutor.

Teddy also teaches aspiring young musicians through video calls, sharing the knowledge and encouragement that once inspired him.