The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has announced the presentation of its Lucy Hale Award championing and supporting disabled and neurodiverse students, to two recipients for 2025.

Master's students Ilana Tapper and Noa Nishizawa will both benefit from the £5,000 award, which was established in 2024 to honour Lucy's life and work as a visionary young composer and mentor.

Ilana and Noa

Ilana, whose principal instrument is viola, has hypermobility in her fingers and hands which requires splints to ensure her joints move correctly.

While the NHS has been able to support her with plastic splints, she requires silver ring splints to play and practice over longer periods more effectively and comfortably.

Noa has lost all hearing in her right ear and has moderate hearing loss in her left. Having purchased hearing aids at great expense she has been unable to buy her principal instrument, the baritone, and plans to use the award to do that.

Noa is passionate about demonstrating that people with hearing loss can have successful musical careers and is an advocate for other people with disabilities who are looking to enjoy a life in music.

Master's students Ilana Tapper and Noa Nishizawa will both benefit from the £5,000 award, which was established in 2024 to honour Lucy's life and work as a visionary young composer and mentor4BR

Excited

Speaking about their awards, Ilana said: "'Whenever I find a new way of adapting how I play or work, it's absolutely wonderful because things I've been working on become a lot more visible in my playing or suddenly become a million times easier.

I'm excited to see where I can take my playing with the new splints and I'm really grateful for the support."

Meanwhile, Noa said the award could not have come along at a more important time: "I'm really honoured to be chosen. It is a critical moment in my journey that will allow me to purchase my own baritone, which I have been wishing to get for ages.

It will serve as a powerful reminder that people with disabilities can thrive in music and life. I hope my story encourages others to pursue their dreams, no matter the challenges they face."

The announcement is part of RNCM Disability Week, which runs from Mon 27th — Fri 31st January at the RNCM.