How Shetland’s thriving music scene inspires award winner Amy

To say that Shetland has a lively musical scene is an understatement. Not only do our islands offer a packed calendar of musical events – from the world-famous folk festival to classical recitals, metal gigs and jazz concerts – they also provide incredible support for budding musicians of all ages.

That means many opportunities to learn from world-class tutors, join instructive workshops and take part in music festivals where young people can showcase their talents.

This supportive musical community not only enhances the vibrant Shetland soundscape, it also nurtures local musicians’ talent, enabling them, in some cases, to achieve national and international acclaim.

One such success story is Amy Laurenson, the Shetland pianist who, aged 23, won the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year award in 2023. Here, Amy discusses her life-long love of music and the debt she owes her island home.

Amy is clearly delighted with her achievement, admitting that it feels “really special” to be the first Shetlander and the second ever pianist to win the competition.

She adds: “I’m really grateful for the opportunities that have come as a result of winning the competition so far, including playing at the Shetland Folk Festival with previous winners of the competition and performing at Edinburgh Tradfest with my new trio. I’m really excited for the year ahead!”

Amy started playing piano aged seven, and was given lessons by acclaimed local teacher, Diane Garrick, an experience which Amy describes as a “huge privilege”. At school, Amy learned the flute and, later, the bassoon.

From an early age, Amy’s talent and drive were fuelled by competitive events laid on by the community. In 2011, she was crowned Shetland’s Junior Young Musician of the Year for her performance on the bassoon and went on to win Senior Young Musician of the Year with a virtuoso piano performance in 2016.

Amy was first introduced to traditional music when, at 16 years old, she started getting lessons with Violet Tulloch, Shetland’s most celebrated pianist. Although she started out studying classical piano at Glasgow’s Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she soon switched to traditional music. Amy explains that on moving to Glasgow she became aware that solo, traditional piano was “a thing” (rather than piano being used primarily as an accompanying instrument). Exploring the piano as a solo instrument prompted her move to traditional music.

The young musician is clearly grateful for the wealth of musical possibilities her Shetland childhood offered her. She recalls: “Growing up in Shetland I had access to lots of great music opportunities, including playing in the Shetland Youth Wind Band and at the annual Schools Music Festival (an annual event which aims to develop young musicians’ confidence and experience in live performance).”

“During my last few years of high school, I got the chance to play with other great musicians during lunch breaks and after-school."

A highlight was putting sets together with Fiola (the traditional music group Amy played in along with fellow musicians Bryden Priest, Lara Polson and Megan Nisbet), and playing at the Shetland Folk Festival and Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival.

In Amy’s opinion, Shetland is an “inspiring” place for a young musician to grow up in, thanks to the island’s “rich music tradition” which it is possible to immerse yourself in and learn from. Amy’s own inspirations include archive recordings of traditional Shetland music made by the likes of Tom Anderson and Peter Cooke. She has also been influenced by a wide range of Shetland musicians including pianist Violet Tulloch, fiddlers Jenna Reid and Catriona MacDonald and saxophonist Norman Willmore. Amy adds: “I’m hugely inspired by other Shetland musicians and love seeing traditional Shetland music interpreted through the lens of others.”

Shetland’s wild and beautiful landscape is itself a gift for musicians. There’s something undeniably magical about playing music with others on a winter’s evening while the wind and rain beat their own wild rhythm outside. Amy says she has always felt inspired by Shetland’s landscape, and says “I am grateful to have grown up with such fierce and beautiful surroundings.”

As well as providing inspiration, Shetland is extremely good at providing support for young musicians. Initiatives such as The Shetland Young Promoters' group and the Shetland Arts Young Musicians Sessions at Mareel exist with the aim of showcasing emerging new talent and giving young people the opportunity to shine.

Amy thinks that Shetland’s community of young musicians is “thriving” and that there is growing performance opportunities to nurture and support young folk.

Whether you play the piano or the pipes, folk or funk, a warm welcome awaits you in Shetland, one of the liveliest and most welcoming music scenes in the world.

In these islands, creativity is ignited, musical talent is nurtured, and you can learn your craft from the very best.

Listen to Amy Laurenson's beautiful rendition of the traditional Shetland tune 'Da Trowie Burn', used in Promote Shetland's Find Your True North Winter film.