A 12-YEAR-OLD violinist has become the youngest person to scoop the top prize in a prestigious music contest.
Jennifer Pike, from Cheadle, was named winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year after a grand final at the Barbican in central London, watched by her proud parents.
Jennifer, who started playing the violin just before her fifth birthday, is a pupil of Chetham Music in Manchester where her father, Jeremy, is head of the composition department.
She received £2,000 aswell as a BBC Travel Award to further her studies abroad and a trophy designed by John Rocha for Waterford Crystal after her performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto impressed the panel of international judges.
Four other contestants -- percussionist Benjamin Bryant, pianist Sarah Tandy, horn player Angela Barnes and clarinetist Sarah Williamson -- all received £2,000.
More than 500 young musicians entered the competition in its initial stages in June and July last year, with a team of judges travelling the country for four weeks of auditions.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article