Anna Lapwood, Director of Music at Pembroke College Cambridge, has announced that she is to leave her post at the Cambridge college at the end of the academic year. When appointed in 2016, Lapwood became the youngest person to hold the position of Director of Music at an Oxford or Cambridge university college, at the age of 21 and now leaves to pursue her solo organ career.

Since her appointment at Pembroke, Lapwood has developed a significant online following with over 1 million TikTok followers, becoming known by many as the 'TikTok organist' and opening up the world of the organ to a younger audience. Lapwood is also now an Associate Artist at the Royal Albert Hall and has sold out her live concert at the hall on 15 May.

In a statement on Instagram, Lapwood said: ‘Some rather big news to share. At the end of this Academic year I’m going to be leaving my job at Pembroke so that I can pursue organ playing full-time. This is, without a doubt, one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, and I can’t describe how much I’m going to miss the wonderful musicians in the Chapel Choir and Girls’ Choir. ...  I will miss them so much, but I can’t wait to see what they will achieve with a new Director of Music, and I will be cheering them on from my organ bench.’

Lord Smith, Master of Pembroke, said: 'Anna has transformed Pembroke’s music and choirs during her time as Director of Music. Her energy, enthusiasm and sheer professionalism have lit up the quality of our Chapel Choir ... she has brought the power of music to make a difference to communities and schools across Zambia; and she has given a real lift to the entire College in the process.'