A Bridge of Don schoolgirl has been named Scotland’s Junior Burnsian of the Year.
Pianist Sonia Zhang spent her 12th birthday beating competition from across the country to take the title of best primary school aged performer.
The Robert Gordon’s College primary seven pupil was first named best instrumentalist before going up against the winners of the verse speaking, singing and bagpiping disciplines.
Already a grade seven piano player, she then took the overall title.
Sonia said: “It was quite nerve-wracking when I saw how many people there were in the audience.
“But it was good when I finished and could tell everyone had enjoyed it, because they were clapping.
“That felt quite good, but I know I wouldn’t have won without the support of my school, friends, family and my piano teacher – she helped a lot.”
More than 100,000 school pupils entered The Burns World Federation competition, with the finals held in Irvine.
Sonia will be given the opportunity to perform at the largest Burns Supper in the world next January as Junior Burnsian.
Previous winners of the contest have also gone on to play at prestigious venues including The Royal Albert Hall and No 10 Downing Street.
Contestants from across the north-east were put forward after very competitive regional finals at Portlethen Academy in March.
Around 350 pupils from more than 30 primary and secondary schools in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray performed.
Sonia took the regional crown, as she had done last year, before travelling to the national competitions.
Convener of The Burns World Federation north-east schools festival, Helena Anderson-Wright said: “Sonia is an absolutely outstanding performer. She’s most talented and has a very bright future ahead of her.
“The audience were enchanted with her and she was the clear winner.
“There was just an enormous wave of applause when she performed.”
Another seven north-east performers were awarded medals for their performances.
Singers Rory McIver and Katy Maclean, violinist Charlotte Slater and fiddler and bagpiper Cassie Findlay medalled in the secondary school competition.
Meanwhile piper Craig Mitchell, clarsach player Kory Buckingham and pianist Kirsty Simmers were also recognised.
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Overall winner Sonia will perform with Aberdeen Burns Club at a charity concert next month.
The Enlightened Scots night, at the Masonic Temple in Aberdeen’s Crown Street, will benefit Charlie House and Befriend a Child.
Tickets for the concert on Saturday June 22 cost £10.
