A young 15-year-old from Harlesden has made it into the National Youth Orchestra,

Ilai Avni, who started playing his violin at the age of five, has been accepted in world’s respected orchestra.

Ilai, who was awarded Brent Young Musician of the Year 2016, won a scholarship to attend the Purcell School of Music in Watford, when he was 11.

The former pupil at Oakington Manor Primary School in Wembley, said: “I started studying violin with Dr Tanja Goldberg at the age of five and attended the Youth Music Centre ever since.

“I am now one of the leaders for YMC chamber Orchestra and the leader of YMC senior octet. I’m really excited about being part of this unique orchestra which is a ‘totally teenage orchestra’ created from a community of 163 young musicians all committed to creativity and performing music.”