Piano prodigy Curtis, 9, releases an album

A nine-year-old London schoolboy is releasing an album after becoming the youngest person in the world to pass a university-level piano diploma.

On Daydreams, Curtis Elton will play pieces by composers including Mozart and Bach.

He started playing the piano aged three, and has just gained his ATCL qualification — equivalent to the first year of a degree. A year ago Curtis, of Barnet, became one of the youngest pianists to pass his Grade 8 exam.

He will release the album with mother Hayley, 40. Also a pianist, she was the youngest person to be admitted to Guildhall School of Music, at the age of eight. She said: “He loves to entertain, he’s a performer. We have always enjoyed playing together and wanted to collaborate on a project that we’ll be able to remember for years to come.”

In 2011 Curtis performed for Britain’s Got Talent, but did not progress in the show. He said he was “excited” by the album and looking forward to completing his full diploma, the LTCL.

Earlier this year he took part in a masterclass with Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Curtis, who wants to be a concert pianist, said: “Mr Zander was so kind and helpful. I really would love to play for him again some day.”

Daydreams is due for release on November 4 and will be available for download on iTunes and Amazon.