top of page
Ben Eames (1).JPG
Ben Eames (1).JPG

BEN EAMES

PIANIST

ABOUT

ABOUT

Ben Eames is a Scottish pianist who has performed extensively throughout the UK.

He grew up, surrounded by creativity at the foot of the Ochil Hills in Clackmannanshire, the 'wee county' and discovered a passion for music and piano after his artist parents were offered an old piano ‘free to a good home’.  

He studied initially at the Ian Tomlin School of Music in Edinburgh Napier University with a 1st class Bachelor of Music with Honours studying under Simon Coverdale. During this time, he won multiple prizes at the Edinburgh Competitions Festival including: Horace Fellowes Medal for Chamber Music (2014); Elizabeth Ritchie Medal for 15 Minute Recital (2013); Christina Pentland Medal for Classical Piano Recital (2012) and the Chopin Medal (2012). Ben completed a Masters of Music in piano performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London in 2015 studying under Douglas Finch.

Since graduating Ben has performed both as a soloist and with ensembles across Scotland and in London. While rooted in classical repertoire, Ben's musical explorations extend across a range of styles, collaborating with jazz musicians, choirs, musical theatre groups and dancers.

Currently, Ben performs regularly with Fiona Sweeney (Flute) as part of the Aurras Duo, a UK based ensemble whose aim is to discover lesser known repertoire for flute and piano, and to highlight works by composers of under-represented groups, particularly minority genders, LGBTQ+ composers and composers from the BAME community. 

In addition to his career as a performer, Ben teaches in schools and music schools across Scotland. He is Associate Piano Teacher at the University of St Andrews.

Outwith his commitment to performance and teaching, Ben co-creates and co-hosts the award-winning Ear to The Ground podcast, bringing Scotland’s flourishing contemporary classical music scene to a wider audience through engaging and insightful interviews with both established and emerging Scottish composers.

Despite his life being filled with music, Ben still finds time to visit art galleries, explore the countryside, and listen to fascinating podcasts!

NEWS

PROJECTS

PROJECTS

561A4355_edited.jpg

AURRAS DUO

Hailing from Scotland, Aurras Duo are a UK based ensemble whose aim is to discover lesser known repertoire for flute and piano, and to highlight works by composers of under-represented groups, particularly minority genders, LGBTQ+ composers and composers from the BAME community. Aurras Duo is comprised of Fiona Sweeney (Flute) and Ben Eames (Piano).

EAR TO THE GROUND

The podcast, winner of The RCS 'Making It Happen' Award at The Scottish Awards for New Music 2021, is hosted by Aileen Sweeney and Ben Eames, in partnership with New Music Scotland. Hosts Aileen and Ben will be asking the questions, bringing the banter and getting to know these fantastic composers.

 

Follow and subscribe to keep your ear to ground for Scotland’s newest and most exciting music.

EARTOGROUNDCOMPLETE.webp
MEDIA

MEDIA

AURRAS DUO
LAIDLAW MUSIC CENTRE | MARCH 2023

The Aurras Duo performing a concert of contemporary music for flute and piano including works by Amanda Harberg, Carl Vine and Scottish composer Aileen Sweeney.

BEN EAMES
RECORDINGS | VARIOUS

Recordings of various pieces performed by Ben both as a soloist and with ensembles.

The Orrery
Multimedia Project | September 2024

Orrery - "An apparatus showing the relative positions and motions of bodies in the solar system by balls moved by a clockwork".

 

Music composed by Ben Eames in 2020.

 

Credits:

Keys - Ben Eames

Voice - Aileen Sweeney

Bass - Julián Pombo

Drums - Ryan Cairney

Animation/Film - Jack Gibson

Mixing and Mastering - Julen Zaldua

tyop
Multimedia Project | September 2024

A 'tyop' is a 'typo'.

 

Music composed by Ben Eames in 2020.

 

Credits:

Keys - Ben Eames

Voice - Aileen Sweeney

Bass - Julián Pombo

Drums - Ryan Cairney

Animation/Film - Jack Gibson

Mixing and Mastering - Julen Zaldua

TEACHING

Ben's piano tutoring is tailored to meet the aspirations of individual students whilst simultaneously reinforcing the essential aspects of piano technique and music theory in order to assist in the development of well-rounded and confident musicians.

Coming from a diverse musical background, Ben is able to develop a student's knowledge in a diverse range of genres from baroque through to contemporary classical music and from jazz to popular music.

 

Ben is available to teach students from any musical background and ability, from beginners through to diploma level.

ACCOMPANIMENT

Ben is available to provide piano accompaniment for concerts, auditions, and ABRSM and Trinity exams. Ben has previously held accompaniment posts in Clackmannanshire Choral Society and Falkirk Festival Chorus and has previously worked as an accompanist for the Scottish International Flute Festival, NYCOS and Scottish Opera Community Choir as well as many other schools and organizations.

Ben is a versatile pianist and is available for accompaniment in a range of styles from classical music through to jazz and popular music.

Fraser (Piano)

Ben has encouraged me to tackle challenging pieces and develop a well-rounded, expressive style. His advanced practice techniques and visualizations have helped me overcome obstacles and expand my repertoire. The lessons provide structure, accountability, and flexibility around my commitments. Ben’s patience and reassuring nature make learning enjoyable, and he always has a coffee ready!

Isobel (Piano)

I have been working with Ben for just over three years. It has been a wonderful learning experience with an inspirational teacher who has a deep love and knowledge of music.

 

In that time, I have gone from someone who never performs in public to someone who does so often and someone who has never sat music exams to someone who holds a Diploma.

 

 He is consistently patient and encouraging - and also ambitious which is exactly what one wants from a teacher. At the end of every lesson I leave buoyed up and excited to get back to the piano.

Piano Trio (Ensemble Coaching)

Our trio had a  coaching session with Ben. This was true ensemble teaching: he focused on our understanding of the

music and our part within it. Listening to one another and playing in different groupings, we started to uncover the musical relationships between our parts so that we learned how to interact to realise the structure and meaning behind  piece.  The difference in our
playing the next time we met was phenomenal.

 

We thought he had a lovely manner, re-assuring, encouraging and always clear – he got a lot out of us and we plan a series of lessons in the future.

CONTACT
bottom of page