A TALENTED pianist, who grew up near York, is launching a music summer school next month at his alma mater.

Emmanuel Vass, born and brought up at Melbourne, near Pocklington, will run the music performance and music business summer school at his former school Woldgate College, in Pocklington.

The 28-year-old, who has performed for the Prince of Monaco and crowdfunded his last album to number one in the specialist classical charts, said: "I am so proud of being a Yorkshireman, and would love to give something back to my area, and inspire young musicians to pursue their creative dreams and ambitions.

"I want my summer school to be fun, inspirational, and highly educational, to demonstrate how exciting a potential career in the musical arts can be."

York Press:

Emmanuel has recently been promoted to senior lecturer at the Leeds College of Music, where he lectures on music business and music marketing.

This year, he won the college's 'Most Inspirational Lecturer' award.

The summer school is open to all instruments and voices, soloists and bands, from all genres. Participants can learn from each other and receive intensive coaching and high-quality training to improve their performance, and also get a better idea of how the music industry works, and how to promote their talents.

Emmanuel will also be joined by local soprano Katie Wood.

The summer school will provisionally run from August 15 to 18, 10am to 4pm, with lunch included, costing £100.

There will be an evening closing concert on the final day.