Laura is Young Musician 2012

Monday 14 May 2012

RCM Junior Department student Laura van der Heijden has been crowned BBC Young Musician 2012.

The 15-year-old cellist triumphed with a mesmerising performance of Walton's Cello Concerto at The Sage Gateshead. RCM Junior Department Head Peter Hewitt, who was in Gateshead cheering Laura on, writes:

"All of us at the RCM are absolutely delighted for Laura, and for her family, teachers and friends. What a role model she is! Her achievement is a great tribute and testament to what young people can do given hard work, the right environment and support. We are immensely proud to be a part of that - and will continue to be as she gets wider and wider recognition (as she surely will)."

RCM Director Colin Lawson writes:

"Many congratulations to Laura van der Heijden on her success in BBC Young Musician 2012. We are proud that she is a member of the Junior Department at the Royal College of Music, a natural first choice for ambitious young performers and composers."

Laura follows in the footsteps of 2010 winner and fellow RCM Junior Department student Lara Melda, who entertained the Gateshead audience with a stunning Rachmaninov performance. Lara will be commencing her BMus studies at the RCM in September.