A TALENTED musician is set to hit the high notes after she was presented with the first Viola Beach Scholarship at Priestley College.
Student Yi Chen Hock, 16, received the grant set up by the college in memory of Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, Jack Dakin and band manager Craig Tarry who died earlier this year in a car crash in Sweden.
The Viola Beach Scholarship was launched by the Priestley Education Training Trust Fund following their tragic deaths.
The former Bridgewater High School pupil, who is currently working to grade eight piano and plays the violin in Warrington Youth Orchestra, will receive £500 to put towards furthering her passion for music.
The teenager, who first fell in love with the piano in year two at Stockton Heath Primary School, described the scholarship as an ‘honour’, adding that the money will go a ‘long way’.
Principal Matthew Grant said: “Yi Chen was chosen in recognition of her outstanding potential and to support her as she strives to make a breakthrough in the music world.
“She is an extremely talented and hardworking individual who has the ability and commitment to go far.
“The scholarship recognises exceptional talent and aims to give a boost to a young person or group of young people striving to make their way in what is a very competitive and at times costly business.
“Yi Chen is a fitting and most deserving recipient of this first award.”
Yi Chen, who studies electronics, further maths, physics and music, attends a Cambridge+ programme each week in addition to her studies at Priestley.
Her teacher Chris Dodd, who nominated her for the scholarship along with music tutor Mike Grainger, added: “One of the reasons she was nominated is because she would not be able to carry on with her violin studies otherwise.
“She is a one of a kind pupil and with phenomenal academic abilities as well as musical talents.”
The father of River Reeves Ben Dunne and the mother of Jack Dakin Jo attended the presentation on Friday.
Mr Dunne said: “It is an example of the incredible response of Warrington and how something amazing can come out of tragedy by supporting amazingly talented youngsters to help them achieve their dreams.”
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