HER talents were honed at Peebles High School and percussionist Ellen Smith has had her skills recognised by securing a top award.

The 21-year-old was announced as the joint winner of the Ogston Music Prize earlier this month at the Aberdeen Citadel.

A panel of esteemed judges, chaired by internationally-renowned cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber, plumped for Ellen and violinist Alison Ewan as the best of the six finalists.

Ellen began her musical career at a young age, taking up piano lessons and joining the Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band, before broadening her horizons and taking up percussion lessons while a student at Peebles High School, where she was an active member of the music department.

She then went on to study music at the University of Aberdeen, where she is now in her fourth year. Ellen hopes to continue her studies by doing a Masters degree in Percussion Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff in September.

Ellen said: “This is an amazing opportunity and I would like to thank my tutors, both at University and at Peebles High School for working with me over the years to help me to achieve this prestigious award.” This is the eighth year the competition has been running, and previous winners have been featured at numerous university events and concerts.

Apart from the prestige, the Ogston Music Prize carries with it a handsome monetary prize and the opportunity to perform at high-profile concerts, including slots at Aberdeen’s May Festival, the Aberdeen International Youth Festival and the Aberdeen Performing Arts Culture Café series.