September Junior Scholar of the Month - Ava

Ava with her trumpet

Since becoming a London Music Fund Junior Scholar in 2023 with Tri-borough Music Hub, Ava has demonstrated strong commitment to her musical development. She has excellent attendance, a strong work ethic, and has made impressive progress on the trumpet.

Ava is currently working towards taking her Grade 5 Trumpet Exam next year. With support from Saturday Music School, Ava has taken part in numerous events this year. A highlight was the Smith Square Hall (formerly Sinfonia Smith Square) Side-by-side project, which culminated in a performance for HRH Queen Camilla during the February half term.

Ava performs with the Wind and Brass Band and is a key member of the brass department at her Saturday Music School, taking up the full Scholars' programme each week.

We asked Ava how she has been finding her Junior Scholarship:

What do you enjoy most about your Junior Scholarship and playing your trumpet?

"What I enjoy most about playing trumpet is seeing myself improve. I love learning new pieces and noticing that things which were difficult before are becoming easier."

Can you share a musical moment from the past year that made you feel especially proud?

"One moment that made me especially proud was when I performed a piece that I had really worked hard on and realised how much I had improved. I remember feeling nervous beforehand, but once I started playing, I became more confident. It made me realise that practising and not giving up is really worth it."

What's your favourite piece to play?

"My favourite piece of music to play is “Let it snow!” I really enjoy playing it because it has a good Christmas feeling and I like the sound of the trumpet part. When I perform it, it makes me feel happy and excited, especially because I enjoy sharing the music with other people."

What are you most excited to try next?

"I’m most excited to try new performances and challenges that help me become a better musician. I would love to experience playing in different groups and performing in front of new audiences. I’m also excited to learn more difficult pieces and continue developing my confidence and skills on the trumpet."

As Ava enters the final year of her Junior Scholarship, it is wonderful to reflect on how far she has come. Her hard work, commitment and continued enthusiasm have been clear throughout her scholarship, and we are incredibly proud of the progress she has made. We wish Ava every success as she prepares for her graded exam next year!

We are so pleased Ava has been making the most of her Junior Scholarship. Go, Ava!