International strings prodigy Louisa Staples will be serenading listeners this weekend at Omnibus in Croydon.
The 15-year-old, who has performed for audiences across the world, will go head-to-head against the best in the business at the Menuhin Competition in April.
Having grown up in a very musical family, who own the Northcote Music shop in Battersea, Louisa started playing the violin when she was five.
Louisa said: “The ethos of this competition is one close to my heart, and I feel privileged to have been selected to be a part of this incredible event.
“For years, I have watched both divisions and dreamed of one day being given a chance to take part.”
The talented teenager is also a finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2016 competition, taking place in May, for which she is also the youngest in her category.
Andy Staples, Louisa’s father, said: “Everyone feels the pressure at this level of competition, but she loves playing at local venues when possible.
“She’s always out playing somewhere, it’s part of her education as an artist.”
Louisa scored herself a place at the prestigious Menuhin School at age eight, where she is a student of Natasha Boyarsky.
The young musician is becoming all too familiar with special opportunities, having been given the chance to give a live broadcast for ‘In Tune’ on BBC Radio 3 and perform at Windsor castle.
Louisa will be accompanied at Omnibus by Svitlana Kosenko on piano, winner of the 2012 Best Pianist award the Joseph Suder Lieder Competition.
She will also be joined by Andriy Viytovych, principle viola at the Royal College of Music and Kristina Blaumane, principle cellist at the London Philharmonic.
Sue Dorey, Director of Music at Omnibus, explained putting Louisa and her 19-year-old brother Samuel, who also plays violin, on the bill is always a delight.
She said: “Championing such talented musicians and giving them an opportunity to perform is very much in keeping with our commitment to develop young people in the arts.”
This weekend’s performance takes place on Sunday, February 28 at 4pm, doors 3:15pm.
Tickets can be found at https://omnibus.ticketabc.com/events/louisa-staples/?booktickets=Book+Tickets or purchased at the Northcote Music shop.
