A PLUCKY young woman from Baldock will perform her first concert with a major orchaestra after winning a one year violin scholarship.

Nandita Bhatia, who lives in The Rowans with her parents, was awarded a scholarship with the University of Hertfordshire’s orchestra after winning a string section competition at a music festival.

The 23-year-old said: “I obviously love performing, it’s what I do, I play the violin.

“I did the festival to get performing experience, I wasn’t in it to win it, so it was fantastic to win the scholarship.

“I have played since I was seven so it’s about 15-16 years and I have always known I wanted to play the violin professionally.”

Miss Bhatia was an entrant at the Hatfield and District Music Festival in April and as a result of winning is now mentored by the orchestra leader and head of the second strings.

They give support through weekly rehearsals and advice at concerts.

Miss Bhatia hopes the experience will help her fulfil her dream of becoming a professional violinist and give her vital musical experience.

She said: “Well I hope to go to music college in London and do a Master’s degree so the scholarship helps me get some orchestral experience and obviously I get to sit at the front with the leaders who are professionals themselves.”

Miss Bhatia is currently having a year out to concentrate on practising the violin but also works part time at the Benslow Music Trust, a renowned musical centre in Hitchin.

She will be performing a concert this Sunday with The de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra at the Western Auditorium, University of Hertfordshire, in Hatfield.