A PIANO prodigy ‘massively ahead’ of his peers has won an international music competition.

Eight-year-old Zeke Gould is well on his way to achieving grade eight in piano, a feat more typically accomplished by 16 to 18-year-olds.

The Kingsmead resident also recently earned first prize in the preliminary category at the St Cecilia International Vocal and Instrumental Music Competition.

His teacher, Phil Brown from Northwich School of Music, says Zeke is the best pupil he has had in more than five decades of teaching.

“I’ve been teaching in Northwich since 1970 and without doubt he is the best person I have ever had,” he said.

“He is doing what people in year 11 are doing and he is better than a lot of them.

“It’s really weird, you’ve got this little tiny boy playing like an 18-year-old. It’s wonderful!

“In 50 years, I would say I’ve taught three really stand-out people and he’s one of the three.”

Cransley School pupil Zeke started playing the piano at the end of 2021, when he was just five years old.

He has since passed grade five with distinction and Phil has ‘no doubt’ he will reach grade eight before finishing primary school.

“To have someone get distinctions at all those exams when he’s only just come out of the infant school is phenomenal,” Phil said.

“When I went to university, having grade eight on your main instrument was one of the requirements.

“He’s just massively ahead of where he ought to be.”

Zeke playing the piano with his cat, JessieZeke playing the piano with his cat, Jessie (Image: Supplied)

As well as his success at the St Cecilia International Vocal and Instrumental Music Competition, Zeke recently became the youngest person ever to achieve the level five musicians badge at Mid Cheshire Scouts.

On top of all that, he is also learning the violin and the bass guitar.

Mum, Angela Gould, said she ‘absolutely did not expect’ Zeke to achieve what he has.

“I was hoping he would maybe pass grade one in a couple of years but he’s already working towards grade six,” she said.

“He’s coming from a non-musical family so it’s even more extraordinary from that point of view as he hasn’t had the benefit of musical parents to support him.

“The entire family are hugely proud of him and we hope it continues!”

Zeke is also learning the bass guitar and violinZeke is also learning the bass guitar and violin (Image: Supplied)

Paying thanks to Phil, Angela added: “Phil has literally and figuratively been instrumental in Zeke’s success, he’s supported him since day one.

“Phil is a fantastic pianist and guitar player in his own right so we’re lucky to have had him guiding Zeke on his journey.”