Princely performance for teenager with Goldie touch

A young musician has played before Prince Harry after earning himself a royal appointment.

Vahan Salorian, 17, who attends Harrogate Music Centre, has had a memorable few months after being chosen to appear in a forthcoming BBC series – Goldie's Band – By Royal Appointment.

As well as playing for Prince Harry in Buckingham Palace, he has also enjoyed flute lessons with Sir James Galway, composition sessions with composer Guy Chambers and singer songwriters Cerys Matthews and Ms Dynamite as well as with film and television composer Debbie Wiseman.

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Goldie, the drum and bass pioneer, DJ and artist, has been travelling the country in search of raw musical talent in a mission to find talented youngsters coping with often challenging personal circumstances and to highlight the organisations that have supported them.

Vahan, a pupil of Ermysted's Grammar School, was among 12 young people selected for the programme after he was nominated by Jane Donald and Anne Heaton from the North Yorkshire county music service.

His musical adventure began in June in his home town of Barnoldswick, where he met Goldie and jazz saxophonist Soweto Kinch. The project culminated in a performance by all 12 youngsters in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace in front of Prince Harry and an audience of special guests.

Vahan plays flute, violin, trombone and keyboard. He receives instrumental tuition at school from the North Yorkshire county music service as well as going to Harrogate Music Centre where he plays in the Harrogate and Skipton Schools' Symphony Orchestra.