The coveted title of BBC Young Musician 2010 has been awarded to pianist Lara Ömeroğlu, a student at London’s specialist Purcell School. The 16-year-old triumphed in Sunday’s thrilling final over flautist Emma Halnan and violinist Callum Smart to win the £2000 cash prize and the competition trophy.

The final, held at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, was broadcast on BBC 2 and Radio 3 following months of heats. 25 young musicians made it to the five category finals and from the winners of these, three were selected to perform the concerto of their choice with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Vasily Petrenko.

Following the win for her performance of Saint-Saëns’s Second Piano Concerto, an emotional Ömeroğlu told the audience, “I just want to thank everyone who supported me and believed in me and I’m just really happy”.

The biennial Young Musician award has launched the careers of a number of high profile instrumentalists, including Nicola Benedetti, Jennifer Pike, Guy Johnston, Natalie Clein, Freddy Kempf and Emma Johnson.

Charlotte Smith

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