February Scholar of the Month
Danielle at our Playing Day with the Riot Ensemble in November 2021
Our February Scholar of the Month is Danielle, a 2018-22 Scholar from Lambeth. 12 year old Danielle is a talented and hard-working clarinettist who has progressed to Grade 6 since she began her Scholarship. She has a busy musical life and enjoys playing music from a variety of genres but has become particularly keen on jazz over the last year.
Her teacher told us Danielle has excellent skills in all areas of musicianship, particularly sight reading, and that she makes a very mature sound on the clarinet. Danielle practises diligently, working on difficult aspects of her technique and finding ways to overcome challenges independently. Her talent for the clarinet combined with her brilliant attitude to learning make her a model student – her teacher writes, “I truly mean it when I say I wish every student was like Danielle!”
Danielle is a regular and valued presence at the Brixton Hill Music Centre and plays a proactive part within Lambeth Music Service, playing in the Lambeth Youth Symphony Orchestra on a Thursday evening and the Senior Wind Ensemble on a Saturday. She also takes part in musical ensembles at school. Danielle attended the Jazz & Rock Week at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama’s Summer School last year. And of course she always comes to LMF Playing Days!
Danielle will be performing at our 10th Anniversary Concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 23 February. She will feature both in our massed Celebration Ensemble and in our Wind Ensemble, playing alongside other advanced Scholars, Graduates and LMF Ambassador clarinettist Julian Bliss. You can buy tickets for the concert here!
Our Q&A with Danielle
What has been the highlight of your Scholarship so far? Tell us about your favourite experiences.
The highlight of my Scholarship so far must be attending the Drake Yolanda Award Winter Concert in February 2020. Something about that performance was so inspiring to me that I just did not want it to end. I even took a few pictures with some of the performers. I have come to realise that most of my favourite events are related to jazz which shows my enthusiasm for learning jazz style pieces. For some reason there is a particular concert that I have never been able to forget which was at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I was impressed by the stories the music could tell.
What are you working on in your clarinet lessons and practice at the moment?
In my individual clarinet lessons, I am practising a beautiful fantasy piece called ‘Fantasiestück’ for my Grade 6. On Thursdays at the LYSO (Lambeth Youth Symphony Orchestra), we are practising The Hebrides Overture by Mendelssohn & DANZÓN N°2 by Márquez. On Saturdays at the Lambeth Senior Wind Ensemble, we are practising The Mandalorian by Ludwig & Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones. In addition, I am also practicing the pieces that I will be playing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Do you have any specific goals or ambitions for 2022?
My goals and ambitions for 2022 will consist of attending more music events and improving my skills so I can play to more people.
How are you feeling about playing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall later this month?
Terrified and excited at the same time. Playing among experienced musicians is scary but also quite reassuring and interesting because you can learn from them.
What’s the best thing about being a musician?
I love the creativity and the personalisation features, a way to make music yours. Also, that you can express your feelings or even tell a story through music and just doing something I solely love and enjoy. For the person reading this, I recommend you to try out music too. Who knows, you might become a professional.