A CONCERT pianist is "incredibly proud" after she helped her eight-year-old son pass a grade 8 piano exam.

Professional pianist Hayley Elton, of Maxfield Close, Whetstone, used her own techniques to get son Curtis to grade one level at the age of four. He spent nine months learning three pieces, including Mozart’s Allegro in F.

This week the schoolboy, who goes to Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, in Elstree, found out he had passed his Grade 8 exam.

Ms Elton, who taught piano to stars including Victoria Beckham, said: “It’s amazing for somebody so young to have achieved this.

"I'm incredibly proud and pleased he has achieved this level at such a young age.

"He heard my music when he was little and I would put him to sleep with piano music when he was a baby."

Curtis and his mother performed at an event in February at Norfolk Lodge Montessori Nursery, in Dancers Hill Road, Potters Bar.

The duo will be going on a tour of nurseries and schools in the north London area in January.

Ms Elton added: "It's great for young children to see him playing as then they can be encouraged to play an instrument as all children should.

"Curtis has starting composing his own music now and I think he may pursue this as a career."