Nicky Hopkins Royal Academy of Music scholarship awarded to Lukas DeRungs for second consecutive year

l-r: Lukas DeRungs and the Nicky Hopkins Award trophy with fans, John Wood, Dr Mark Oxborrow and Rhoda Zeffertt (taken before the pandemic).

Photo: John Wood

The Nicky Hopkins Award trophy

Photo: John Wood 

Nicky Hopkins

Photo: Harrison Funk

20 January 2021 - London - Highly talented jazz pianist, Lukas DeRungs, has earned the prestigious Nicky Hopkins Award for the second consecutive year.

The award came about as a result of the Nicky Hopkins memorial park bench in Perivale where Nicky lived as a child. The bench was crowdfunded by dedicated Nicky Hopkins fan, John Wood. There were surplus funds after the bench had been unveiled, so John donated them to the Academy and the Nicky Hopkins Memorial Appeal was born. Subsequent donations have so far created two, year-long scholarships, both of which have been awarded to Lukas. It is hoped that the Nicky Hopkins Memorial Appeal will continue to receive donations to enable more students to receive the Nicky Hopkins Award in the future and so benefit from studying at the highly prestigious Academy. 

Contributors towards the scholarship include the American musician and author, Deborah Grabien, also a dedicated Nicky Hopkins fan, and the highly acclaimed pianist, Chuck Leavell, who has been the principal touring keyboard player for The Rolling Stones since 1982 and has also toured and recorded with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, David Gilmour and many more.

Here is the link to send a donation to the Nicky Hopkins Memorial Appeal: https://community.ram.ac.uk/philanthropy-pages/the-nicky-hopkins-memorial-fund 

Lukas was thrilled when he found out that friends and fans of Nicky Hopkins had supported him again with his studies for the 2020/21 academic year. On receiving the award, he said:  

“Being introduced to the life of Nicky Hopkins was very enlightening - thank you for sharing his musical legacy with me, and I’m very grateful for the support! For me, this award is both a big financial help and a huge honour. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to study at the Academy, more than ever since the pandemic, wherein many places have shut down, yet we are still able to have in-person teaching, ensemble rehearsals and even concerts! Personally, there is really no better place to be right now, and no better way to spend my time than doing this masters course amongst all these great musicians." 

About Lukas DeRungs 

Lukas DeRungs is a pianist and composer from Mannheim, Germany, currently living in London. In 2016, Lukas won first prize at both the International Jazz Piano Competition Langnau, Switzerland and the Yamaha Jazz Piano Competition Nuremberg, Germany. He holds scholarships from the Art Foundation Baden-Württemberg, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the Nicky Hopkins Award. He is currently studying a Masters in Jazz Performance at the Royal Academy of Music, writing a suite for chamber choir & jazz ensemble, and working on his own projects, including the "Lukas DeRungs Quintet" and "Kleister".
www.lukas.derungs.de    

About Nicky Hopkins

The legendary session rock pianist, Nicky Hopkins (1944-94), played with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks and many more. Contributors to his memorial bench included Yoko Ono, Jimmy Page, Roger Daltrey and all members of The Rolling Stones. To mark what would have been his 75th birthday, a plaque was unveiled on Nicky's childhood home in Perivale. To further give Nicky the recognition he deserves, a documentary called "The Session Man" about his life and career is currently in production. 
www.thesessionmanfilm.com 

About the Royal Academy of Music

The Royal Academy of Music moves music forward by inspiring successive generations of musicians to connect, collaborate and create. It is the meeting point between the traditions of the past and the talent of the future, seeking out and supporting the musicians today whose music will move the world tomorrow. 
www.ram.ac.uk

For more information, please contact:

John Wood
07771 520001
johnalexwood@gmail.com

Nicky Hopkins Royal Academy of Music scholarship awarded to Lukas DeRungs for second consecutive year