Rhiannon has been named as runner-up in the Arts Category of the inaugural Ambition AXA Awards, a national competition!      

Rhiannon attended a star-studded Gala Awards Ceremony hosted by Carol Vorderman at the Royal Courts of Justice, London on Wednesday 30 November 2011 where the winner and runner up, selected by Alex James, former Bass guitarist of Britpop group Blur, Laura Gander-Howe, Director, Learning & Skills Strategy at The Arts Council England; Amanda Blanc, Chief Executive AXA Commercial Lines and former Head teacher and Chairman of the judges, Sir Alan Steer were announced.

The Ambition AXA Awards were launched in March to help support talented, ambitious and dedicated 11 to 18-year-olds in the fields of sport, enterprise, science, the arts, and the community.  Over 15000 young people applied for the awards with The Arts category receiving the most applications.

Rhiannon impressed the judges with her dedication and talent in playing the trombone and so was shortlisted for the Final. An online vote was then required to narrow the chosen semi-finalists down to 3 finalists and thanks to a plethora of votes from friends, fellow musicians, family and the general public Rhiannon rocketed into the Final.

Rhiannon says "It’s been an amazing experience from start to finish and I’m not disappointed that I was a runner-up and not the category winner as all the Finalists were winners in so many ways - everyone in the Final, in all of the five categories, is so dedicated to what they do that any one could have won! I felt really privileged to have made it to the Final and had a fantastic evening at the awards ceremony (and in the REALLY posh hotel they put us up in!).  Meeting Carol Vordermann, Karen Brady, Jason Bradbury from the Gadget Show and Alex James was incredible too." 

As part of the event a video of each of the finalists "in action" was shown to the guests - you can view Rhiannon and the other Finalists in the Arts Category by clicking here:

www.youtube.com

Rhiannon's recent success doesn't stop here - following an intense few weeks of competitive auditions during November she has been offered places in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales!