Saul Picado
Born in Portugal, Saul started having music lessons at the age of 6. With 10 years old Saul became a student at the Conservatório Regional de Castelo Branco, where his piano studies began. During his time at the Conservatory he was awarded twice the First Prize in the Competitions “Lopes Graça” and Third Prize and the Prize for Best Performer of Beira Baixa in the 2005 International Piano Competition “Cidade do Fundão”.
In 2010 he graduated with distinction in Solo Piano, Chamber Music and Accompaniment at Academia Nacional Superior de Orquestra, where he studied piano with professor Alexei Eremine.
In 2011 he was awarded the 2nd Prize in the “Prémio Jovens Músicos” Competiton (Portugal) – Solo Piano category. At the same year his chamber music ensemble, Dryads Duo (formed together with Portuguese violin Carla Santos), was awarded the 1st Prize at the same competition ("Prémio Jovens Músicos") - Chamber Music category. Since then, the Dryads Duo have performed in the major concert halls across Portugal, including Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Casa da Música and Centro Cultural de Belém. Dryads Duo’s first CD was recorded in September 2012.
In November 2011 he was also awarded a "Highly Commendation" in the Guildhall of internal Contest School of Music & Drama "Beethoven Piano Prize".
In 2012 he gave the inaugural recital of the Concert Series "Explicação da Ausência" in Castelo Branco, Portugal and he was invited to give the inaugural recital of the "Piano Cycle EDP 2013 " in Suggia Room at Casa da Música, Oporto, Portugal.
Saul obtained his Masters Degree in Performance in 2012 from Guildhall School of Music & Drama where he studied with professors Peter Bithell and Martin Roscoe. During the Masters he was awarded scholarships by Steinway & Sons and the Steel Charitable Trust and the HWE & WL Tovery.
In order to continue working privately with professor Peter Bithell, Saul was awarded in 2012 and 2013 a scholarship by Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
Between 2012 and 2013 Saul studied also with portuguese pianist Pedro Burmester.
For the academic year of 2014/2015 he was awarded the Gilbert & Eileen Edgar Junior Fellowship in Piano Accompaniment at the Royal College of Music.
As a performer Saul Picado works regularly both as soloist and chamber musician giving recitals mainly in Portugal and in the UK. His repertoire is varied, going from Baroque to Contemporary Music.
Apart from his work as a concert pianist Saul has been teaching the piano in London and was offered a place at Windsor Piano School in 2014.
In 2010 he graduated with distinction in Solo Piano, Chamber Music and Accompaniment at Academia Nacional Superior de Orquestra, where he studied piano with professor Alexei Eremine.
In 2011 he was awarded the 2nd Prize in the “Prémio Jovens Músicos” Competiton (Portugal) – Solo Piano category. At the same year his chamber music ensemble, Dryads Duo (formed together with Portuguese violin Carla Santos), was awarded the 1st Prize at the same competition ("Prémio Jovens Músicos") - Chamber Music category. Since then, the Dryads Duo have performed in the major concert halls across Portugal, including Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Casa da Música and Centro Cultural de Belém. Dryads Duo’s first CD was recorded in September 2012.
In November 2011 he was also awarded a "Highly Commendation" in the Guildhall of internal Contest School of Music & Drama "Beethoven Piano Prize".
In 2012 he gave the inaugural recital of the Concert Series "Explicação da Ausência" in Castelo Branco, Portugal and he was invited to give the inaugural recital of the "Piano Cycle EDP 2013 " in Suggia Room at Casa da Música, Oporto, Portugal.
Saul obtained his Masters Degree in Performance in 2012 from Guildhall School of Music & Drama where he studied with professors Peter Bithell and Martin Roscoe. During the Masters he was awarded scholarships by Steinway & Sons and the Steel Charitable Trust and the HWE & WL Tovery.
In order to continue working privately with professor Peter Bithell, Saul was awarded in 2012 and 2013 a scholarship by Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
Between 2012 and 2013 Saul studied also with portuguese pianist Pedro Burmester.
For the academic year of 2014/2015 he was awarded the Gilbert & Eileen Edgar Junior Fellowship in Piano Accompaniment at the Royal College of Music.
As a performer Saul Picado works regularly both as soloist and chamber musician giving recitals mainly in Portugal and in the UK. His repertoire is varied, going from Baroque to Contemporary Music.
Apart from his work as a concert pianist Saul has been teaching the piano in London and was offered a place at Windsor Piano School in 2014.