A young musician from a school in Bangor is hitting all the right notes on the international stage.
Seren Harris, a 14-year-old, is celebrating a string of outstanding achievements on the live stage and already has her sights set firmly on next year’s All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford.
A Year 11 pupil at St Gerard’s School, Seren began her musical journey at the age of three when she was given a classical violin.
By the age of five, she had joined her local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, a worldwide movement dedicated to preserving Irish music and culture, and soon developed a passion for the fiddle.
By seven, she was already competing in county-level competitions.
Her dedication paid off this summer when she was named All-Britain Champion in Coventry, taking first place in both the Fiddle and Fiddle Slow Airs categories (12–15 age group).
She also finished runner-up in the miscellaneous (viola) section.
Seren said: "It’s such a thrill to perform on that stage, especially when you’re playing to an audience that really knows and loves the music.
"I’m over the moon to have placed so highly — and next year with the All-Ireland Fleadh coming to Belfast, that’s my big target alongside my GCSEs.
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"To get there is an achievement in itself, and I’ll be working hard to raise my game even further."
Her victory secured her a place at the All-Ireland Fleadh, where she competed against musicians from around the globe.
Seren placed second in Fiddle Slow Airs and third in Fiddle Dance Tunes in her age category.
Campbell Harrison, headteacher of St Gerard’s School, said: "Seren is an amazing ambassador for our school.
"She has only been with us a year, but in that time she has thrown herself wholeheartedly into school life, making a big impact both in and outside the classroom.
"Seren is a gifted musician and a dedicated student who manages to balance her studies with her passion for traditional music in an incredibly mature way for someone of her age.
"She is a role model for her peers, and we are certain that she will continue to inspire others as she targets the All-Ireland in Belfast next year.
"We have no doubt she will go on to even greater heights in the year ahead."
In addition to her competitive achievements, Seren performs with the North Wales band The Faerohs and studies classical violin at the Junior Department of the Royal Northern College of Music.
She also credits her traditional Irish music teacher, Mairead Forde, for her continued progress.
Seren has maintained online lessons with Ms Forde since moving from Ireland to Wales.
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