APART from her reputation as one of the world’s leading virtuoso violinists, Nicola Benedetti is also known for her passion and commitment towards supporting music education in Scotland. 

During her recent UK tour, entitled ‘Italy and the Four Seasons’, students were given the opportunity to play alongside her on stage to packed audiences.

Seventeen-year-old Chrissie Johnson, from Gattonside, was one of the few lucky musicians who were invited to play at Nicola’s Inverness concert at Eden Court on Friday, September. 

Chrissie is a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and joined some of her colleagues from the orchestra to perform two movements from a Vivaldi Concerto Grosso. 

Not only did Nicola join them in the performance but also her partner and highly acclaimed cellist, Leonard Elschenbroich. 

Chrissie, who is a pupil at Earlston High School but also attends three days a week at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh, described it as an amazing and inspiring experience and one that she would not forget in a hurry! Ironically, she had already bought tickets for the same concert the following night at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall and, this time, was able to enjoy the performance from the auditorium.