Young Pianist of the North is a stepping stone between local festivals, competitions, and established national and international contests.
Through music making and a connected outreach programme, the competition seeks to create a forum that will support and encourage young talented pianists and their tutors, provide educational activities for members of the community, stimulate international exchange and celebrate piano playing.
It is often said that there is no better way to learn new skills than to perform them yourself, so funding from the Gillian Dickinson Trust proved hugely beneficial to 17 North-East youngsters who were able to attend a five day residential in Yorkshire.
After the Gillian Dickinson Trust awarded Seven Stories with a £10,000 investment for their educational programme - Amazing Archives - we caught up with Catherine Wynne at the foundation, to see how the money has benefited young people in the North-East.