The tuition fees for Stelios, who was recently honored as one of the top 100 talents globally for 2025 by the Global Child Prodigy Awards, will be covered by shipowner Giannis Koutsas, following a recommendation from Anna Vissi.
The School’s Legacy
The Purcell School, the oldest specialized music institution in the UK, is situated in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in the outskirts of London. It caters to nearly 200 musically gifted young individuals, offering both boarding and day school options as they strive to develop their talents.
This institution is dedicated to providing exceptional education and a conducive environment for young talents to flourish, irrespective of their backgrounds, delivering a world-class music education.
What Is “The Purcell School,” the Premier Music School Attended by 12-Year-Old Soloist Stelios Kerasidis
Pursuing a robust commitment to musical growth, Purcell combines ample opportunities for practice, performance, and comprehensive musical education with a balanced academic curriculum. This prepares students for long-term careers in music.
The school’s mission also focuses on enhancing students’ confidence, adaptability, and maturity, fostering their personal and professional development throughout their lives.
Since 1985, the school has been under the patronage of King Charles III—then Prince of Wales—who inaugurated new facilities and accepted the UNESCO Gold Medal for Mozart for its remarkable contributions to Artistic Education on behalf of Purcell.
A Historical Overview of the School
Founded in 1962 by Rosemary Rapaport and Irene Forster at Conway Hall in central London, the school was initially called the Central Residential School for Young Musicians. It later shifted to Morley College, then to Hampstead, and eventually to a large Victorian house in Harrow on the Hill.
As the school expanded, it was renamed The Purcell School in 1973 to honor the English composer Henry Purcell and relocated in 1997 to the facilities of the former Royal Caledonian School in Bushey, Hertfordshire, where it continues to thrive.
Now, over 50 years later, the school is regarded as a national treasure, known for its exceptional musical education in a nurturing and creative atmosphere for students from around the globe.
Music Departments
Each student’s musical journey is facilitated by their department head, who collaborates with each student and their instrument teacher to tailor a customized curriculum. Academic aspects of music, including ear training, theory, harmony, composition, history, and analysis, complement instrumental studies, forming an integral part of a holistic education.
Specialized instructors, many of whom also teach at London’s music schools, bring valuable experience in mentoring talented young musicians. Additionally, supervised practice tutors—who are graduate musicians—provide further support.
Regular masterclasses, recitals, seminars, and collaborations with renowned musicians enrich the educational experience and provide students with exposure to the wider musical community.
The diverse musical program includes chamber music, orchestral engagements, choirs, jazz, and piano recitals. Students enjoy frequent performance opportunities, ranging from daily lunchtime concerts at the school to formal recitals at prestigious venues in London, such as the Royal Festival Hall, Cadogan Hall, Wigmore Hall, and Milton Court Concert Hall.
The Musical Centre boasts excellent facilities, including a state-of-the-art recording studio, recital hall, composition rooms equipped with computers, and specially designed teaching and practice areas.
Each department maintains strong connections with music colleges and conservatories throughout the country, resulting in impressive acceptance rates and scholarship outcomes. Students frequently achieve significant, highly competitive awards.
The unique combination of Purcell’s attributes includes respect for individuality, high educational standards, a focus on systematic practice, and opportunities to perform at the highest levels in chamber music and orchestras.
Post-Purcell
With exceptional musical and strong academic training, most alumni thrive in their chosen fields. The school provides guidance and support to help alumni make informed decisions about their futures.
Many alumni pursue music studies at top colleges in London, often with scholarships, while others attend leading universities like Oxford and Cambridge, primarily for music-related disciplines, although some follow different paths in areas such as Physics, Aerospace Engineering, English Literature, or History.
Purcell alumni actively perform in prestigious orchestras both in the UK and abroad and participate in distinguished ensembles. Notable graduates include Martin James Bartlett (BBC Young Musician of the Year 2014), royal harpist Anne Denholm, Grammy-winning jazz musician Jacob Collier, and Oscar- and BAFTA-nominated composer Mica Levi.
Tuition Fees
The Purcell School aims to reduce financial barriers to music education through scholarships based on family income. These are facilitated by the UK’s Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) for residents, and through the School’s Scholarship Fund for international students.
Specifically, annual fees for boarding students are £43,479 plus VAT, payable quarterly at £14,493 plus VAT, while day students pay £34,053 plus VAT annually, or £11,351 plus VAT each quarter.
Music and Dance Scheme (MDS)
Around 80% of British students benefit from reduced or waived fees through the UK Department for Education’s Music and Dance Scheme (MDS), which is income-based.
Students must have lived in the UK for at least two years before January 1 of the academic year they apply for to qualify for MDS. Families with a gross annual income below £15,000 pay no fees, with a sliding scale of contributions based on income. MDS places are limited and awarded after auditions, with participation reviewed annually.
