Hitting the high notes

Dominica Hallstead (15) and is going to Chethams Music School.

A young Shaw musician is celebrating after bagging a place at Manchester’s prestigious Chetham’s School of Music.

Fifteen-year-old Dominica Hallstead, of Manor Road, will start at the city-centre school in September.

Having mastered the viola and the trumpet, the clever youngster has scooped a place in the lower sixth sooner than expected, after sitting GCSEs early at North Chadderton School.

Currently a student at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music, Dominica will now have the chance to join chamber groups, choirs and school orchestras to perform at venues such as the Bridgewater Hall.

Dad Martyn Hallstead said: “We’re so proud of her. She has worked really, really hard to get this and she deserves all the praise she gets.

“She’s been playing since she was seven years old and and practices for hours every night.”

Talented Dominica has played in Halle Youth Orchestra and can now expect to dedicate around a third of each school day to improving her musical talent.