Lucas Saraiva Cunha (piano) & Alique Khambatta (piano)

Free admission | Donations welcome

Programme

Artist Bio

Lucas Saraiva Cunha (b. 2003) is a London-based pianist in his first year of MMus at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (TL), where he is a proud recipient of the Alfred and Therese Kitchin Scholarship and the Cardnell Piano Prize. He studies under the guidance of professor Yekaterina Lebedeva.

Recent competitive successes include 1st Prize at the HGS Residents Association Intercollegiate Competition (London), 3rd Prize at the 34th Rome International Piano Competition, and recital prize by Musical Odyssey Masterclasses in Oxfordshire. He was a finalist in the Beethoven EPA intercollegiate competition.

Lucas enjoys an active recital career. As a soloist, Lucas performs frequently across the UK and internationally, with notable appearances including a gala concert in Shunde, China, as part of celebrations for the 70th Anniversary of the Chinese Republic as well as solo recital in Megaron Concert Hall in Athens. Upcoming recitals include his debut in Germany at the Lev Natochenny Piano Festival in Bad Homburg.

Lucas is particularly interested in expanding the classical concert tradition, integrating disciplines such as improvisation, dance, and theatre to create dynamic and engaging performances. A passionate advocate for contemporary music, he is frequently invited to perform at contemporary music festivals and to premiere works by composer contemporaries. Recent projects include performances of John Cage’s Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano, alongside new works by himself and his peers written for the same preparation. His multifaceted artistic voice has led to collaborations with international organisations, including the Gina Bachauer International Music Association (Greece), which supports exceptionally talented young pianists. Additionally, Lucas curates a series of concerts at Winchmore School, in collaboration with other artists.

In addition to his solo work, Lucas is an accomplished pianist in vocal repertoire, performing regularly at festivals within his conservatoire and across the UK, spanning repertoire from the Classical canon to works by Contemporary Female and Black British composers. As a committed chamber musician, he has performed at major London venues including Blackheath Halls, St James Piccadilly, and Kings Place. He was a Finalist in both the Oxford International Song Young Artists Programme and the Somerset Song Prize, where he received the award for Most Promising Young Pianist.

Alique Khambatta is a pianist based in London. She completed her Master’s degree in Performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where she studied with Elena Riu and Mikhail Kazakevich. She was supported during her postgraduate studies by the Satyam Kalon Scholarship. She previously completed her Bachelor of Music as a recipient of the Udmi Devi Scholarship.

Alique began piano lessons at the age of five in India with Roxana Anklesaria at the Academy of Music, and has also been mentored by Myrna Fernandez. She has won numerous prizes at national and international competitions, including multiple awards at the Musiquest Competition and the International Trio Competition in Marktoberdorf, Germany. She has participated in masterclasses with artists including Joanna MacGregor, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Pascal Rogé, and Tomislav Baynov.

Alique has performed widely across the UK and internationally, appearing at contemporary music festivals, in broadcast performances, and in concerts featuring commissioned works. She was previously an Artist in Residence at the London Transport Museum, where she presented a series of concerts with her singer duo partner. Her performance work encompasses both solo and collaborative projects, with an interest in presenting engaging and varied programmes to diverse audiences.

Presented in association with Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance