Can you help an aspiring young musician?

Southern Sinfonia remains in close contact with many of its Newbury Young Musician of the Year finalists from years gone by. One such young person is Sophie Simpson (18).

Sophie is a first-year violin undergraduate at the University of York. She would love to pursue a career as a professional violinist, but is finding it difficult to bridge the all-important student-professional gap.

However, she has been offered an exciting opportunity to help her make this transition, with an invitation to take part in the Cambridge International String Academy (CISA), which runs from 24^th July to 12^th August 2012. This course aims to help students aged 15-32 years expand their solo repertoire, participate in high-level ensemble performances, receive guidance on orchestral audition technique and take part in master classes, all of which are an essential part of Sophie’s development as a professional violinist.

Scholarships and bursaries are increasingly difficult to come by, especially during these challenging financial times, and as a full-time student Sophie is unable to meet the cost of the course herself. She is therefore looking for sponsorship so she is able to attend.

The course costs £1950 in total and would provide an invaluable opportunity to benefit from the expertise of specialist teachers, individual tuition and performance alongside professional musicians; all of which will improve her performing ability both technically and musically for the future.

Sophie would be very grateful for any financial support you might be able to offer her, however small, so that she can attend. To talk to Sophie about supporting her, please email her directly on sophie@simpsonfreelance.com or contact the Southern Sinfonia office on 01635 580035.

For a few words from Sophie herself please click here and for more information about the CISA course please follow this link www.stringscambridge.com.