Pianist returns to music and wins prestigious competition

  A return to a deep musical passion after more than three decades working as an airline pilot has resulted in a national award win for Montville pianist Ian Lucas.

Ian competed against about 40 others Australian’s to be recently named the joint winner of the inaugural Sydney Piano Lovers Competition – an event open only to amateur pianists over 30.

“I’m very pleased. I worked hard and I felt I’d do okay because I’ve been playing well, but you never know who else has entered because it’s adjudicated by private video,” Ian said.

Ian was first taught classical piano by his mother as a child, but in his late teens his life took a different path and he embarked on a career as an airline pilot. It was some 32 years later, having retired from flying and with encouragement from his wife Lee,  he once again sat at the piano.

“It wasn’t until I turned 50 and my wife said ‘You should go back to music’, and I said ‘okay’.” 

“I slowly regained my technique and artistry. I found the return to music and continuous practicing  more fatiguing than I remembered and progress was slower than I thought and hoped. 

“Music didn’t return to me overnight, it took quite a few years to get everything back.”

He admits he feels some responsibility for keeping alive a family history of classical music.

“It’s a lineage — my grandmother taught my mother, who taught me, and I guess my grandmother’s mother probably taught her as well.”

Ian also took the time to teach the couple’s twin children, Sam and Meg, who have also followed musical paths. 

Sam is now a professional Cellist studying and living in Germany under management and with a record label contract.

Ian and Lee are known for establishing Lucas Parklands Montville, home to a 150-seat classical music auditorium described as one of the top performance venues of its size in the world.