Heledd Gwynant, a 17 year old percussionist from Caerphilly, who plays with Welsh champion Tredegar, has just come runner-up in the UK National Final of the Rotary Young Musician competition, which took place recently in Telford.

Heledd secured her place by winning her way through four sets of local and regional stage competitions, and was one of 6,500 entrants who started the journey across the UK before competing against seven highly talented instrumentalists playing violin, piano, oboe and saxophone.

Praise

Her varied programme on marimba, xylophone and multi-percussion won significant praise from the respected adjudicators.

She told 4BR: "I was delighted to reach the final and more than happy in coming runner-up. The standard was incredible. The support I get from my family means so much — as does the opportunity to play with Tredegar alongside a great percussion team."

Successful

Earlier this year Heledd was also successful in reaching the final of the prestigious Gregynog Young Musician competition, winning the specialized category for harp, guitar and percussion.

She subsequently claimed the Gregynog Young Percussionist of the Year title, before going on to compete against the four category winners in giving a 20 minute recital. The overall winner was pianist Kirsty Chaplin from Wells Music Cathedral School.

The support I get from my family means so much — as does the opportunity to play with Tredegar alongside a great percussion teamHeledd Gwynant

Study

Heledd is a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni where she is studying A levels in Music, Drama and Welsh and joined Tredegar in 2015, becoming a vital component of their percussion section.

She is also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and hopes to go on to study percussion at university.