Local classical pianist David Schofield will appear on Dragon's Den next Wednesday (19th August) to ask the five multi-millionaire dragons for an investment to launch his debut album.
From his first prize at the Alderley Edge Festival in the mid 1990's to his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 19, David will walk up the stairs to ask for £60,000 to launch his album and hopefully make him as successful a star as Nigel Kennedy and Vanessa Mae. David explained that his debut album has been "designed to bring a completely new and fresh approach to classical music, through careful repertoire choice, image and personality".
David was in specialist music education from the age of 9, attending Chethams School of Music in Manchester and aged 18 he was offered a scholarship to attend Chicago College of Performing Arts. David, who is known for his fresh and colourful intepretations of the piano repertoire, has been described as the British version of Lang Lang. He now lives in Heald Green but maintains a busy performance schedule internationally.
David has had many successes as a pianist, by the time he reached 18 he had already received over forty first prizes in competitions across the UK. Aged 12 David was introduced to the international scene, when he travelled to Kiev to participate in the 4th International Piano Competition in memory of Vladimir Horowitz. There he was awarded a special prize for the student who showed outstanding promise.
Since then, David has won numerous prizes, including 1st prizes in the Junior Chopin Competition in memory of Ryszard Bakst(2006), the Hershey Felder Piano Competition (2007) and The CCPA Concerto Competition(2008).
David admitted he had been apprehensive before going on Dragon's Den and had watched many episodes in preparation but explained that "Knowing how brutal they can be before going on doesn't make it any easier, however it was amazing".
Describing the experience David told us that "The programme is filmed "live" so there is no talking in between and you don't get to meet the Dragons before the pitch. It reminded me of school exams a bit. You had to be escorted whereever you went, to the toilets etc. This was so you didn't come in to contact with the Dragons prior to filming and so the first impression when you walk up the stairs really is the first."
David's appearance on Dragons Den can be viewed on BBC2 at 9pm on Wednesday 19th August. For further details regarding David Schofield you can visit his website.
