Sussex Young Musician of the Year

 

Congratulations to BHASVIC graduate Riya who was named Sussex Young Musician of the Year 2024, with her sister and fellow BHASVIC graduate Berniya named as runner up! Reflecting on her success and connection to Sussex Riya said:

 

"I was born in Brighton and I went to school here. I went to a few different schools, but the last two years at BHASVIC were really great. It had a really good collegey feel and it was very inspiring to be within the music department where everyone involved really wanted to be there and to play music. In my class I had a lot of incredible jazz musicians and I was just really inspired by the whole musical environment. The teachers were super supportive and understanding of everything that I wanted to do and did everything they could to help. I left the sixth-form college in June last year and I've just finished my first year studying. It has been really exciting. It is been really lovely, and I think it was less daunting for me than it would have been because I happened to know a lot of the people that were with me beforehand which eased the transition."

 

Riya captivated the judges with her performance of the final movement of Dvorak’s cello concerto, securing a £2,000 prize, which will support her participation in competitions both in the UK and internationally. Riya's sister, Berniya, a pianist studying at the Royal College of Music, was named the runner-up and received a £1,000 prize. Additionally, Tom Law, a tenor, was awarded £500.