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Paul Burke was born into a family of professional musicians. He received his first piano lessons from his mother and the eminent Lily Foxon in Sheffield. When a teenager,his parents were advised to send him to study with professor Frank Merrick FRCM (a former Leschetizky pupil in Vienna) in London,and later with the Hungarian pianist Ilona Kabos also in London.
He was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, and while under the direction of its founder and Dame Ruth Railton DBE, he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London where he continued his studies with professor Max Pirani FRAM. Subsequently he studied with the world renowned pianist Louis Kentner, brother-in-law and chamber music partner of the late Yehudi Menhuin, and later, Paul Burke was also guided by the distinguished teacher Fanny Waterman in Leeds.
Mr.Burke has given recital and concerto appearances on concert platforms in Gt. Britain and abroad. In 1972 he made his first broadcast under the direction of renowned Czech pianist,and Supraphon recording artist,professor Otakar Vondrovic,who subsequently invited him to visit his studio at the Janacek Akademie in Czechoslavakia.There he was awarded the International Master Class Diploma.
From 1973 until 1983 he was a piano teacher at the Piano Faculty, of the Vorarlberg Music Schools and Conservatoire in Bregenz and Feldkirch, Austria. During that time he broadcast for the ORF Austrian radio and gave recital and concerto appearances in Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland whilst occasionally visiting the UK for concerts.
Since returning to his home in England,he has performed throughout the country,sometimes deputising at very short notice.These concerts have taken him from his Yorkshire home,as far as Devon and Cornwall,with various concerts at Universities,Theatres,Music Clubs & Societies,together with appearances in the City of London.
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