Jeremy Paul Aknai is Hertfordshire born and bred. He started pianoforte lessons at the age of 5 and cello lessons at the age of 11. His musical ability became very apparent when he started composing at the age of 11 and this has become his over-riding interest. He has written pieces for the pianoforte and for the voice and various chamber pieces, including a string trio and a wind quintet. For orchestra Jeremy has composed Three Contrasts and the Chamber Symphony, with which he reached the final of the BBC Lloyds Bank Young Composer of the Year competition in 1993. He attended the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department, where he is studying composition with Adam Gorb and conducting with Peter Stark.