Two musically gifted primary schoolchildren from Hounslow were delighted to be named as the recipients of a four-year scholarship from the Mayor's Music Fund.
Talented clarinetist's Nina Odeyale Mitchell and Michael Goust who attend William Hogarth School in Chiswick were among 70 young people across London to be awarded with the £280,000 scholarship, at City Hall last month.
The young music makers, both aged 10, now have the chance to develop their skills as musicians through an extensive programme of tuition and support.
Students each have a personal mentor, receive about two hours of learning, music-making and other developmental activities weekly, and opportunities to perform and attend concerts and live gigs.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "Not every child can afford an instrument or the lessons they need to make real progress as musicians and the Music Fund is doing vital work to help hundreds of gifted youngsters towards realising their ambitions and achieve their full potential.
"In addition, as they develop as musicians these scholars are also gaining extra skills and experience that will be invaluable in all areas of their lives."
The Mayor's music scholarships were presented by concert pianist and TV presenter James Rhodes, and sponsored by Trinity College London.
James Rhodes said: “I am so thrilled to have been invited to speak at the Mayor's Music Fund’s awards celebration.
"The charity does vital, life-changing work that inspires and nurtures our next generation of musicians at a grass-roots level, which is just what we need.”
The Mayor's Music Scholar fund was set up to help talented children from disadvantaged families with the chance to fulfill their musical potential.
The fund also provides grants which support projects including the Hounslow Music Service.
