YOUNG musician Natasha Elsworth is tuning up to play with a prestigious junior orchestra.

The Skipton Academy pupil has been invited to join the North Yorkshire Junior County Youth Orchestra with the option to graduate to the senior orchestra when she achieves grade five.

Natasha, who lives in Skipton and is inspired by Brahms, has been playing the clarinet for three years and was nominated to join the orchestra by Skipton Music Centre, which she attends on a Saturday morning on The Skipton Academy site.

Said 12-year-old Natasha: “I am very proud and excited to have this opportunity to meet new people, develop my abilities, and have the chance to graduate to the senior orchestra and possibly participate in international tours.”

Principal Wendy Hamilton said: “We are very proud of Natasha, who is a promising young musician and a great ambassador for her school.”

The Junior County Youth Orchestra, for primary and secondary pupils of a standard between grades three and five, will hold a residential course in the summer culminating in a concert on July 8. Young musicians from various county ensembles are invited to join the residential. The senior orchestra, for secondary students of at least grade five standard, meets at the same time with a concert on July 10.