Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason Awarded BBC Young Musician of the Year

17 year old British cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason has been awarded 1st prize at the 2016 BBC 'Young Musician of the Year' awards - at the Barbican Centre, in London.

A scholarship student of Ben Davies and the Royal Academy of Music, Sheku last year reached the semi-final stage of the tv talent quest, 'Britain’s Got Talent'.

“It’s a wonderful feeling!” Sheku has told the BBC.

"He was electric … in today's society, which seems to be swept by mediocrity, he shows how hard work, dedicated and talent can lift you out,” Jury chair Dobrinka Tabakova has said.

The judges also commended the performances of fellow 2016 finalists: 17 year old saxophonist Jess Gillam and French hornist Ben Goldscheider.

This year’s jury comprised acclaimed musicians: Dobrinka Tabakova (chair), Jamie Walton, Amy Dickson, Alec Frank-Gemmill - and BBC Proms Director, David Pickard.

Widely regarded as the UK’s leading competition for young classical music soloists 18 years and younger, previous winners include violin virtuoso Nicola Benedetti and VC ‘Artist’ Jennifer Pike

Photo Credit: Mark Allan