Dame Fanny Waterman (22 March 1920 – 20 December 2020)

It is with great sadness that The Leeds International Piano Competition announces the death of its founder and President Emeritus Dame Fanny Waterman at the age of 100.

Dame Fanny died peacefully this morning in her residential care home in Ilkley, Yorkshire. She is survived by her two sons, Robert and Paul, and six granddaughters.

With more than 260 applications to our 2021 Competition, hear from The Leeds Artistic Director Adam Gatehouse about the selection process behind this first phase and the ins and outs of navigating the Competition amidst a global pandemic. We talk digital auditions,...

Despite the huge disappointment of having to cancel our celebrations with Dame Fanny for her 100th Birthday, our dear friend and Global Ambassador, Lang Lang, shared his own very special message... Watch the video here