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Young Musicians’ Bursary Competition: Our 2021 winner Eliza Ruffle performs with the National Youth Orchestra

Hello everyone!

It was a wonderful experience to have won the bursary. The prize money covered the fee to live and perform with the National Youth Orchestra. Yesterday, I listened to myself play with the orchestra on BBC Radio 3! I am looking forward to the spring residency this Easter break, where we will be performing one of the all-time masterpieces: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring!

Recently, I had the most amazing experience at the Winter Residency with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. I stayed with many wonderful musicians for a week, rehearsing and having fun every day. Everything culminated in a 3-day concert tour, which ended at the Barbican Centre. I was the orchestral keyboardist and had an amazing experience playing a celeste solo (as well as a piano solo in the Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances). It was a blast!! I had so much fun, and the concerts were a surreal experience, playing with such a large orchestra, after such a long hiatus due to Covid. 

I’m hoping to attend the Spring, Summer, and Autumn residencies again in the near future. I also have some exciting concert opportunities at school and the Royal Academy of Music; I am recording concerts every week to send off to nursing homes for the elderly in my area. 

Eliza Ruffle – Young Musicians’ Bursary Competition Winner 2021