University News Last updated 22 April
18-year-old Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire student Max Walsh has been awarded the 2026 Dr Weir Legacy Award by The Keyboard Charitable Trust to support the next stage of his musical journey.
Dr Kenneth Ross Weir appointed the Keyboard Charitable Trust to implement an annual award for one exceptionally talented international keyboard player aged between 12 and 20 years of age, helping them to build an international career. The award cannot be applied for, as candidates are identified by the Trust's artistic directors.
Previous recipients include students of Gary Graffman (teacher of Lang Lang and Yuja Wang), Veda Kaplinsky (Head of Keyboard at the Juilliard School, New York), as well as the winner of the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition and the second prize winner of the ARD International Piano Competition in Munich.
In 2025, Max won first prize at the Junior Wales International Piano Festival and The Liszt Piano Society International Piano Competition. Christopher Axworthy, one of the Trust's artistic directors, wrote of his performance: “A youthful burning passion for music and a young man born to play the piano. He and the piano fit so naturally in a way that cannot be taught, and at only 18 his potential is enormous and may know no bounds.”
Visiting Lecturer and JRBC Keyboard Department Coordinator Jan Loeffler commented: “As Max’s piano teacher, it is a privilege and a joy to see him receive this prestigious international award from the Keyboard Charitable Trust. It reflects not only his exceptional technical ability, but also his deep musical sensitivity, intellectual curiosity and dedication to his craft. The distinguished list of previous recipients underscores the significance of this recognition.
“Max approaches the piano with a rare blend of discipline and imagination. He listens keenly, thinks critically, and seeks to understand the music beyond the notes on the page. His performances are sincere and show a musical voice that continues to deepen and mature.
“It has been a pleasure to guide him so far, and this award marks an important milestone in what promises to be a remarkable musical future.”
Max said: "It goes without saying how immensely grateful I am for this award. For the Trust to believe in me as an artist gives me so much hope for my future. Of course, none of this could have happened if it weren't for the 10 years of support I have received from the Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Thank you to my incredible teacher Jan Loeffler for his unwavering confidence in me. He always goes above and beyond for his students, travelling up and down the country to support them.”