Two talented musicians are celebrating success at the Aberdeen finals of the Scottish Young Musicians Competition 2025, held at the Cowdray Hall, earlier this week.
Violinist Michelle Tse, a pupil at Aberdeen Grammar School, won the Aberdeen City Council Senior Solo Performer of the Year 2025, which was open to city pupils in Year Four to Year Six at Secondary School.
Michelle will now represent Aberdeen in the finals of the national competition on Sunday 25 May at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.
Diya Dileep, a saxophonist, from Cults Academy, won the Aberdeen City Council Junior Solo Performer of the Year 2025, for Year Three pupils at Secondary School and below.
Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “Huge congratulations to Michelle and Diya and well done to all the young musicians who participated in the competition. We have amazing creative talent in our area. It's great to enjoy the excellent music-making from our local musicians.
“I’m sure everyone will join me in wishing Michelle all the very best in the final of the Scottish Young Musician competition in Glasgow in May.”
Following her winning performance Michelle said: “It was truly an exciting evening—thank you to all my teachers, fellow musicians, and the adjudicators. It is my great honour to represent the City of Aberdeen at the finals.”
The finalists performed before a panel of external judges: Jenna Main, Business Development Manager, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music; Craig McDermott, Head teacher, Northfield Academy; and Clara-Jane Maunder, emerging composer and violinist from Aberdeen, who has also composed the city’s official anthem for the forthcoming Tall Ships festival.
For the third year running, the Council’s Music Service had organised the local competition, in partnership with the Scottish Young Musicians competition, which is open to all young musicians who go to school in Scotland, whatever standard or age.
120 young musicians in Aberdeen entered the first round of the competition in January 2025.
The junior event was held on Monday 24 March and the senior event took place on Tuesday 25 March.