Fernando (14) is a student at the high school Gymnasium Haganum in The Hague. At the age of five, he started piano lessons with Christa Korsten, followed by nearly five years of private lessons with Hülya Keser. Since 2023, he studies piano at the Sweelinck Academy (Young Talent) of the Conservatory of Amsterdam with Robert Kulek. His exceptional musical talent was recognized at an early age.
Fernando has won prizes at several national competitions, including De Muziekwedstrijd (First Prize), the Jong Talent Concours Maassluis (Grand Prize and First Prize), and the Prinses Christina Concours (Second Prize, Region West 1). He was also a finalist at the Koninklijk Concertgebouw Concours and has received awards at international competitions.
In 2024, Fernando was selected for the All of Bach young talent program of The Netherlands Bach Society and was named a Young Hero (Jonge Held) on the television program Podium Klassiek (NPO 2). He performs regularly at festivals and concerts, including reaching the semi-finals of Holland’s Got Talent, and made his solo recital debut at the Grachtenfestival Amsterdam.
Fernando (14) is leerling van het Gymnasium Haganum Den Haag. Op vijfjarige leeftijd begon hij met pianolesson bij Christa Korsten. Daarna volgde hij bijna vijf jaar privé pianolesson bij Hülya Keser. Sinds 2023 studeert Fernando aan de Sweelinck Academie (Jong Talent) van het Conservotorium van Amsterdam bij Robert Kulek. Zijn uitzonderlijke muzikale talent werd al op jonge leeftijd herkend.
Fernando won prijzen bij diverse nationale concoursen, waaronder De Muziekwedstrijd (1e prijs), het Jong Talent Concours Maassluis (Hoofdprijs en 1e prijs) en het Prinses Christina Concours (nationale halvefinalist, 2e prijs van regio West 1). Daarnaast was hij finalist bij het Koninklijk Concertgebouw Concours en viel hij ook internationaal in de prijzen.
In 2024 werd Fernando geselecteerd voor het All of Bach jong talent project van de Nederlandse Bachvereniging en uitgeroepen tot Jonge Held in het tv-programma Podium Klassiek (NPO 2). Hij treedt regelmatig op tijdens festivals en concerten, waaronder de halve finale van Holland’s Got Talent, en maakte zijn solo recital debuut op het Grachtenfestival Amsterdam.
The Journey with the Piano - the piano is more than an instrument, it is one of Fernando's ways to explore both the world around him and himself. Within its eighty-eight keys, Fernando finds both joy and challenge — the thrill of creating beautiful music and the quiet satisfaction that comes from mastering each new piece.
Learning piano is a feeling and an ongoing journey that live deeply within Fernando. There is something sparkling special in sitting at his piano - discovering new melodies as they unfold beneath his fingers. Every piece Fernando studies tells a story of his growth and dedication. That sense of discovery drives Fernando forward — inspiring him to keep learning as a young piano talent striving to grow and reach new heights.
Fernando has already built an impressive and steadily growing repertoire, performing works by composers such as Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Bach, Debussy, and many others. His musical curiosity motivates him to explore an exceptionally broad range of styles - from the refined elegance and structural clarity of the Classical era to the emotional intensity, poetic lyricism, and technical brilliance of the Romantic repertoire.
Each composer opens a new world of expression. As Fernando studies, interprets, and performs these works, he is constantly expanding his understanding of musical language — each new composition he learns presents both a challenge and an opportunity to grow. Through this ongoing journey, Fernando is developing not only as a pianist, but as a storyteller and interpreter of the beautiful classical music.
