Freya Terris Makes History Passing Grade 8 Piano Exam Using Only Left Hand

Freya Terris, 17, made history by passing her Grade 8 piano exam using only her left hand after an injury prevented use of her right. Supported by ABRSM, she mastered left-hand repertoire and inspired new exam options for one-handed pianists worldwide.

Freya Terris' Unique Achievement

Freya Terris, a 17-year-old from Lisburn in County Down, has made history by achieving a Grade 8 piano distinction performed entirely with her left hand. She is the first pianist known to the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) to pass the Grade 8 piano exam with a repertoire exclusively for the left hand.

Two years prior, a long-term injury and subsequent surgery rendered Freya unable to play the piano with her right hand. What was once a cherished hobby became a significant challenge.

Initially, Freya believed the pain in her right hand would be temporary. While awaiting recovery, she began exploring music composed specifically for the left hand with her teacher.

"My left hand could already play but not at all in the way that it now needs to," Freya explained. "I sort of stumbled into it and, without realising, built up that technique."

Freya is sitting at a glossy brown piano, with her left hand resting on the keys. Her right hand is resting on her knee, which is where it normally remains while she is performing. She is sitting upright on the piano stool and is wearing a burgundy t-shirt and white trousers with thin blue stripes and a pink dotted pattern. — Image caption, Freya spent two years learning a catalogue of left-handed piano pieces after an injury left her unable to use her right hand to play

After approximately two years of practice and just weeks before undergoing an operation on her right hand, Freya realized she might never play piano with both hands again. Frustrated by not having achieved her Grade 8, she contacted ABRSM to inquire about the possibility of taking the exam with modifications to the required pieces.

Following discussions, the exam board provided her with a list of pieces composed specifically for the left hand.

"They were so encouraging, they were all up for it and just as excited as I was about it," said Freya.

Dedication and Challenges

Freya dedicated two years to mastering a catalogue of left-handed piano pieces after her injury prevented her from using her right hand.

Despite the challenges, Freya was determined to succeed. She described herself as a "stubborn person" who committed to the necessary work.

"In my head, at one point, there was frustration that I was only playing this music because I can't play what I want to or what I used to play. That was hard," she said.

During the two years following her injury, there were periods when lessons were paused to allow Freya to take breaks and rediscover her passion for the piano.

"I think that was necessary. The analogy we had used was that I was throwing myself at a brick wall," she added.

Support and Inspiration

Freya's teacher, Rory Dowse, viewed the injury as an opportunity to explore creative solutions for her progress. Together, they researched other single-handed pianists such as Nicholas McCarthy and Leon Fleisher, who had successful careers despite similar challenges.

"I didn't want her to feel like, 'I'm the only one that is going through this, I'm the first person who has ever done this'," said Dowse.

Freya is also a two-time Young Musician finalist, once performing with a two-handed repertoire and once with a left-hand repertoire.

Freya Terris sits at a grand piano, wearing a long sleeved dark dress with red flowers, and black strappy heels. The room behind her has green walls and large, long windows. She is also surrounded by chairs. — Image caption, Freya is also a two-time Young Musician finalist, once with a two-handed repertoire and once with a left-hand repertoire

Exam Success and Recognition

After anxiously monitoring her exam results for months, Freya was delighted to learn she had passed, making her friends, family, teachers, and ABRSM staff proud.

ABRSM informed her that her determination had earned her "a little place in history."

"I was glad that I had been able to prove to them that the effort that they put in to making this exam possible for me was worth it by the result that I did get," she said.

"I did feel like I owed it to all the people around me who had been so supportive in making sure that I did keep going."

Family Support and Determination

Freya's mother, Susan Terris, attributes her daughter's achievement to her determination.

"She took it in her stride, as she does with most things, and she decided that she would find the solution to it along with her teacher," said Susan.

"She's a very determined young lady who has pushed herself and keeps going. Any set backs that she has, she uses to her benefit to push herself forward and achieve her goals. Nothing will stand in her way."

Susan Terris has straight, shoulder-length, blonde hair. She is smiling and wearing large clear-framed glasses. One hoop earring can be seen on her right ear as her hair is tucked behind it. She is also wearing a delicate silver necklace and a red top with ruffled edge around the neck. She is standing in front of a white wall which is decorated with a number of paintings and plants sitting on a fireplace mantlepiece. — Image caption, Susan Terris says her daughter was determined to find a solution

Impact on Music Education

Freya's accomplishment has influenced a broader change. Rory Dowse noted that when they initially contacted ABRSM, the board was already considering one-handed music for Grades 1 to 5.

Dowse believes Freya's collaboration demonstrated demand for one-handed repertoire at higher grades as well.

"We weren't sure whether or not one person with one problem would even be considered, so we were really surprised and really grateful whenever they did," he added.

In June 2026, ABRSM published their new 2027–28 syllabus, introducing a dedicated one-hand repertoire list across Grades 1 to 8 for the first time in the board's 137-year history. This development allows one-handed pianists to pursue recognised qualifications at every level in the 93 countries where ABRSM operates.

"It's meant a lot, for me, what they have done and it is really exciting that this is something that other people can do," Freya added.

Future Plans

Freya, a two-time Young Musician finalist—once with a two-handed repertoire and again in 2025 with a left-hand repertoire—is now planning to study music at university after completing her final year at Friends' School in Lisburn.