A 17-year-old put Garston on the map after she reached the final of the BBC Young Musician 2026 for her well-acclaimed recorder playing.
Alma Nunez Debretzeni, 17, studies at Parmiter’s School in Garston and the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department in London. She began playing the woodwind instrument at age five.
The teenager was the youngest and one of just three musicians selected for the final of the national competition, progressing from a group of five semi-finalists.
Currently in Year 12 studying psychology, music and English at A-level, Alma was announced as a finalist on October 25 during the televised semi-final on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer. The final then aired on BBC Two on November 1.
The other finalists were saxophonist Kezia Colton, 18, from London, and the eventual winner and violinist Sofia Demetriades, 18, from Leicestershire. The three finalists competed for the title by performing a concerto accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Alpesh Chauhan.
The competition was presented by broadcaster and writer Petroc Trelawny, with pianist and composer Joanna MacGregor, conductor Ben Gernon and composer Errollyn Wallen judging the performances.
Outside of her passion for playing the recorder, Alma enjoys yoga and singing in a choir. She has won prizes at several competitions, including the JRAM Woodwind Prizes and the Tel Aviv Recorder Festival.
Feature image: BBC
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