Introducing our Senior Scholars for 2024-2025
We are delighted to announce our third cohort of Senior Scholars, pictured here alongside colleagues from ABRSM. 20 Senior Scholars have been selected following nominations from Music Services and Junior Conservatoires, and study a range of disciplines.
As part of the programme, they will all receive a grant of £1,000 to support their ongoing musical learning (this could include travel and audition costs, instrument purchase, and instrumental tuition) and will benefit from opportunities tailored to their personal musical aspirations, including mentoring and workshops.
Adar, aged 16, Flute and Piano
Enfield Music Service and Junior Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Adar was a London Music Fund Scholar through Enfield Music Service from 2018-22 and now attends the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Junior Department. He is a flautist and pianist with a passion for Bruckner! Adar loves symphonies and operas and is looking forward to gaining more experience in other areas like conducting during his second year of being an LMF Senior Scholar.
Iris, aged 16 Flute
Southwark Music Service and Junior Trinity Laban
Iris was a London Music Fund Scholar through Southwark Music Service from 2016-20 and began studying at Junior Trinity from September 2023 taking part in their main programme on flute and baritone saxophone. She also plays the piccolo in ensembles. In February 2024 Iris attended the NYO’s Inspire residency week in Blackpool, and this summer she attended the Chineke! Junior Summer Residential. Iris continues to be a member of Kinetika Bloco and joined their Summer workshops again this year, as well as recently joining ABRSM’s Youth Board.
Nathan-Asher, aged 16, Percussion, Saxophone, Jazz Piano
Newham Music Hub and Rugby School
Nathan-Asher was a Scholar through Newham Music from 2016-20 and went on to study at Rugby School. As a percussionist he contributes to Rugby School’s vibrant rock and pop offering, playing in a jazz quartet as well as continuing to excel in orchestral percussion. Nathan-Asher plays with the National Youth Percussion Ensemble and was recently awarded a place on the LPO Junior Artists programme. Nathan-Asher recently joined ABRSM’s Youth Board.
Naum, aged 16, Trombone, Wandsworth Music
Naum is a trombonist at Wandsworth Music, having taken part in the London Music Fund Scholarship programme from 2016-20. This is his second year being an LMF Senior Scholar and he is working towards his Grade 8 exam. Naum is now a member of Wandsworth Music’s highest level ensemble, the Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra with whom he plays 1st trombone. Naum enjoys playing jazz and is also interested in music technology.
Bishop, aged 15, Drum Kit, Ealing Music Service
Bishop is a drumkit player, learning through Ealing Music Service where he was a London Music Fund Scholar from 2019-23. He dreams of becoming a professional musician and enjoys being part of Cadenza (EMS Saturday school). Bishop also attends Ealing Percussion Academy and takes a lead role in preparing music for worship at his church.
Georgina, aged 15, Violin, Hillingdon Music Service
Georgina is a violinist, learning with Hillingdon Music Service. Since graduating from her LMF Scholarship in 2021 Georgina has continued to flourish, progressing to Grade 8 on the violin and playing with the music service’s top ensembles. Georgina enjoys supporting the learning of other, younger musicians and extends her own learning by taking viola alongside the violin. She is particularly interested in Tudor music and old stringed instruments and would one day love to learn the viol. Georgina hopes to go on to study music at higher education level.
Sophia, aged 16, Trombone, Barnet Education Arts Trust
Sophia is a trombonist with Barnet Education and Arts Trust, and was a London Music Fund Scholar from 2016-20. She’s a member of the Barnet Youth Brass Band and Jazz ensemble, and last term passed her Grade 7 exam with distinction. Sophia has also started learning the baritone.
Patrick, aged 16, Trumpet, Havering Music Service
Patrick is a Trumpeter learning through Havering Music Service where he was a London Music Fund Scholar from 2017-21. Patrick enjoys acting as a mentor to younger musicians and is looking forward to taking part in Playing Days. Patrick also plays violin and piano to a high standard and enjoys playing in Big Band.
Catherine, aged 16, Trombone, Croydon Music and Arts
Catherine was a London Music Fund Scholar from 2017-21 and learns trombone through Croydon Music and Arts, where she plays in multiple ensembles. Catherine is working towards her grade 8 trombone exam and attends the CMA jazz band, wind orchestra and Youth Orchestra.
Maria, aged 17 Flute, Bexley Music Service
Maria was originally a Scholar from 2017-2021, and is a flautist learning through Bexley Music Service. Maria is a member of the Bexley Youth Band and Orchestra and recently volunteered to be a mentor to younger musicians when the concert orchestra and intermediate band went on tour to the Cotswolds. Maria is currently working towards her grade 8 flute exam, and is interested in conducting, music production and composition for films and games.
Rachel, aged 16, Violin and Piano, Croydon Music and Arts
Rachel is a violinist learning through Croydon Music and Arts. Rachel takes an active part in CMA life, playing violin in CMA Youth Orchestra, cello in an intermediate ensemble, as well as taking part in composition workshops. Rachel has attended the Chineke! Juniors summer course for the past two years.
Guadalupe, aged 17, Oboe
Royal Academy of Music Junior Department
Guadalupe is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department under the guidance of Philip Harmer. She has also recently been selected as Joint Principal Oboe of the National Youth Orchestra.
Guadalupe is very much looking forward to continuing to learn both personally and musically through collaborating with other young musicians. She says: “The force that is achieved through young people playing music together goes beyond words. It teaches us both to listen to one another and value our own voice too. In an increasingly divisive society, this is priceless.”
Archie, aged 16, Piano
Royal Academy of Music Junior Department
Archie is a student at Colchester Sixth Form College and attends The Royal Academy of Music Junior Department weekly. He’s a pianist and is looking forward to refining his music-making skills in the coming year!
Fennrin, aged 16, Cello, Centre for Young Musicians
Cellist Fennrin is thrilled to be part of the LMF Senior Scholar program. This year he hopes to play once more in the LSSO and explore his musical future as part of Young Sounds UK mentorship program and with the London Music Fund.
Oliver, aged 16, Drumkit and Euphonium, Centre for Young Musicians
Oliver studies Drumkit and Euphonium at the Centre for Young Musicians. He specialises in steel pans and Samba percussion, and plays percussion in the London Schools Symphony Orchestra. Oliver hopes to go on to study at Conservatoire.
Rebekah, aged 17, Bassoon, Royal College of Music Junior Department
Rebekah joined the Royal College of Music Junior Department having only played the bassoon for a short time. She plays in numerous ensembles at RCM Junior Department and is also a youth leader in her local community. Rebekah hopes to go on to study music at Conservatoire.
Lucas, aged 17, Trumpet, Royal College of Music Junior Department
Lucas is a talented trumpeter and cellist who joined the Royal College of Music Junior Department having participated in the inspirational music project Nucleo. He is principal trumpet of the London Schools' Symphony Orchestra and of RCM Junior Department Symphony Orchestra. Lucas continues to act as a role model and mentor for younger students at Nucleo.
Elio, aged 16, Violin
Barking and Dagenham Community Music Service
Elio learns violin through Barking and Dagenham Community Music Service, as well as attending Trinity Laban Junior Department. Elio achieved a distinction in his Grade 8 ABRSM exam and is leader of the CMS Senior Ensemble and the Thames Reach Youth Orchestra. He was selected for the LSO East London Academy in which he performed for two years with great success. Elio plays with Chineke! Junior Orchestra, and with the Trinity Laban Junior Orchestra and has also achieved Grade 8 ABRSM on the piano! Elio hopes to study music at Conservatoire.