An amazing classical pianist from Burton ranked in the top-five in the UK is set to tinkle the ivories in town to support a charity that cared for her grandparents.
Hayley Parkes attended the revered Chetham's School of Music, in Manchester, at the age of 12, before finishing in the top-five of the BBC Young Musician of the Year contest when she was 18.
Now 22, Hayley has performed across the country at massive venues including the Royal Albert Hall for BBC Proms.
Thus summer she is heading for more humble surroundings when she performs in Burton on Sunday, July 8.
She said: "It has long been my aim to contribute more to the locality in which I grew up and for those who supported me in my formative years.
"St Giles Hospice is a charity very close to heart as it has cared for both my grandfather and grandmother, and by extension us, through lung and breast cancers.
"Sadly my grandfather lost his battle in 2013 but luckily my grandmother made a recovery and enjoys listening to me perform whenever she can.
"It felt only right to finally seize the opportunity to lend my skills to the cause and try and create something more mainstay to not only contribute my art and bring that of my peers into Burton, but also support such an incredible charity to which I owe so much."
Hayley has promised to guide those who are less knowledgeable about classical music through her show.
She said: "When my granddad was at his most ill, I began recording myself playing piano music, which I thought would keep him calm and relaxed when I began my first year as a student at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
"My mum would ring and tell me that he enjoyed it so much and would listen over and over again - so naturally I produced another recording for his funeral."
Staff from St Giles Hospice will be able to get tickets for a reduced price.
The Sounds for St Giles event will begin at 7pm on Sunday, July 8 at Branston Golf and Country Club.
Tickets are priced £10, and St Giles staff can purchase theirs for £7 each. Those younger than 16 enter for free.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.sounds4stgiles.eventreference.com.
