Page 119 - FINAL_RPS Awards 2021 Coverage Book_Full (2)

The awards celebrated classical musicians, both amateur and professional,
who have selflessly found ways to inspire others against the odds

throughout the pandemic.

Ms Johnston, who has been Artist in Residence with the Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic and performs regularly in Germany, raised thousands of

pounds for musicians struggling during the pandemic through her
innovative ideas.

She helped create the Bitesize Proms, which ran eight weeks of mini-Proms
online from July 2020. The project featured 125 mini concerts and 300

musicians.

Helping musicians during pandemic

Speaking to LiverpoolWorld, Ms Johnston said: “I’m so proud and humbled

to receive this award, it means so much.

“I woke up one day during the height of the pandemic and thought I needed
to do something.

“Musicians were lacking any form of momentum during the weird world of
lockdown and the idea for the Bitesize Proms started from nothing to being

watched nearly half a million times across all platforms.

“About 92% of people who watched were under 40 and that was fantastic to

reach out to that audience too.”

She said the projects have raised more than £12,000 for charity Help
Musicians and the money has been given to musicians and their families in

need.

Ms Johnston says being with her family in Liverpool always provides her

with support.