Keyboard Finalist - Erdem Misirlioglu
Ipswich student Erdem Misirlioglu has reached the final five in the prestigious Â鶹Éç Young Musician of the Year.
Erdem, a pupil of Northgate High School, Ipswich, is one the talented musicians to have won a place at the final of the competition which is organised by Â鶹Éç Wales.
The 18-year-old pianist is an A level student at Northgate High School and travels every week to the Junior Department at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
One of the five musicians who compete in the final at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff on May 10, 11 will follow in the footsteps of past winners including Nicola Benedetti, Jennifer Pike, Emma Johnson and 2006 winner clarinetist Mark Simpson.
The presenters will include Gethin Jones from Strictly Come Dancing and Blue Peter and singer and broadcaster Aled Jones.
Mr Neil Watts, Headmaster of Northgate High School, said, "We are delighted that Erdem has reached the final and are very proud of his achievement so far. As a school we have a long and successful association with the Misirlioglu family and we are very pleased for them as well as Erdem. Like Jose Mourinho - Erdem is a special one - he deserved to win!"
Alison Mears, Head of Junior Music Courses at the Guildhall School, said, "Erdem is an extremely sensitive and talented musician and this result reflects the dedication and hard work from both Erdem and his teacher at Junior Guildhall. We are thrilled at Erdem's success in the competition especially as the standard was so high and wish him all the very best with his future career."
