A TALENTED teenager from Hartford has come out on top at a young musician competition.

Nina Horne Martin, a year 12 student from Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College in Northwich, won first place at the Sandbach Young Musician of the Year competition earlier this month.

The 17-year-old has been playing the saxophone for the last eight years, and she also plays the oboe and the piano.

Mum Sandra said: "She absolutely loves to perform and has particularly enjoyed developing concert repertoire for classical saxophone.

"Some of her favourites include Debussy’s Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, and several of Paul Creston's Works such as his Saxophone Concerto and Saxophone Sonata.

"Nina plays in several ensembles including the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Cheshire Music for Life Jazz Band, the Manchester Jazz Quintet, Cheshire Youth Orchestra, Vale Royal Concert Band and Sir John Deane’s College ensembles including the Concert Band, Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble.

"She greatly enjoys the use of music to tell a story, including through composing her own works which she did through the Rushworth Young Composer Scheme."

And Nina hopes to continue her passion for music in the future.

She aspires to continue her musical interests by studying music at a university or conservatoire.

She is particularly interested in the film music industry, composition, conducting and performing.

The Sandbach Concert Series, held this year in St Mary's Church, aims to 'provide the opportunity for young people to perform in front of a paying audience and professional artists who excel in their chosen instruments'.

It also gives Cheshire residents the opportunity to hear world class artists and contribute to the community by showcasing local art.

Posting on social media following the 2022 event, the group said: "We had a fantastic day at our young musician of the year competition at St Mary's Church, Sandbach.

"Well done to all the young musicians, you were amazing.

"Thank you to Nichola Hunter for adjudicating and to deputy mayor of Sandbach cllr Kathryn Flavell for presenting the prizes to the winners.

"It was such an impressive display of musical talent by young musicians in Cheshire."