Burgess Hill student joins national orchestra

Jutta Law, 16, who is a boarder at Burgess Hill Girls and originally from Hong Kong, will join NYO Orchestra – an initiative set up by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYO).

NYO Inspire was set up to give orchestra opportunities to talented teenage musicians who are underrepresented due to their educational background or ethnicity.

Jutta, who also plays the piano and sings in the school choir, was encouraged to audition by fellow students and the school’s director of music, David Black.

To audition, she was required to make and submit a video of solo and ensemble performances as well as excerpts of selected pieces including Don Juan, and was invited to join NYO Inspire in March with tutors commenting on her ‘classical phrasing’ and ‘vibrato’.

Jutta said: “It has been challenging to keep playing over the last year, but I have been working hard on my own and online with my music tutors.

“I am incredibly grateful to the support I have received at Burgess Hill Girls but also to my parents and my teachers in Hong Kong, Miss Cheung, and Mr Wu.

“I cannot wait to meet and play with other musicians across the UK and improve my skills.”

David Black, director of music at Burgess Hill Girls, said: “The last year has been particularly challenging for our boarders, many of whom have not been able to return to their families during the school holidays.

“Jutta has managed to stay positive and focus her energy into her music and other school activities.

“Her selection for NYO Inspire is immensely well-deserved.”