Violinist is Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year

Therese beat off competition from four other finalists at Pittville Pump Rooms

This year's Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year competition has been won by a 16-year-old violin player.

Therese DeSouza from North Nibley beat off competition from four other finalists at the event on Wednesday evening (3 March, 2010).

The concert at the Pittville Pump rooms was the culmination of Gloucestershire County Council's music service's search for the musical star of 2010.

The other finalists were Elin White (violin), Alastair Roberts (classical guitar), Thomas Percy (violin) and Andrew McDade (tuba)

"I'm over the moon. It's a very surreal feeling to have won," said Therese.

"We all played for about 15 to 20 minutes trying to show a range of music within our programmes.

"There was panel of judges. It was very nerve-wracking but it was just brilliant."

Therese, who attends Pate's Grammer School in Cheltenham, wins the Oldbury Trophy, a £500 prize and will now perform in her own concert series, including a concerto with the Gloucestershire Youth Orchestra and a solo recital as part of this year's Cheltenham Music Festival.