Dame Fanny (1920-) is a piano teacher and the founder of the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition. She was its Chairman and Artistic Director for many years. Born in Leeds, she won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music and was tutored by Cyril Smith. In 1944 she married a doctor, Geoffrey de Keyser. After the birth of her first son in 1950 Dame Fanny gave up her concert career and became a well-known piano teacher in the Leeds area.
With Marion, Countess of Harewood, and Roslyn Lyons she established the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition in 1961. It is recognised as one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world, and previous winners have gone on to become world-famous concert pianists. Her services to Leeds were recognised when she was awarded the Freedom of the City of Leeds in 2006.
Dame Fanny has served on the juries of international piano competitions throughout the world. She has published several books about teaching, and learning to play, the piano. A passionate advocate of excellence in piano playing, Dame Fanny has contributed to articles in the press and given numerous speeches and interviews on the subject. In 2010 she appeared on 'Desert Island Discs'.
Dame Fanny has been awarded the OBE, CBE and DBE, and a 'woman of the year' award. She has received a doctorate in music from the University of Leeds and Honorary Membership of the Royal Philharmonic Society, amongst other awards and recognition.
