WESLEY Music Centre is one of the great powerhouses of music in Canberra, supporting upcoming music virtuosi with scholarships that help them continue their university and music school studies.

This Wednesday at lunchtime a group of Wesley Music Instrumental Scholars, Ciaran Edwards-McKeown, Emma Rayner, Matthew Ventura, Alys Rayner and Rowan Phemister,  will perform in the Centre, unveiling a new generation of musicians.

The works to be performed are Agustín Barrios “Un Sueño en la Floresta” (guitar solo), Chopin “Etude in E flat Major Op. 10 no. 11,” Debussy “Pagodes” (piano solo) and Debussy “Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp.”

Ciaran Edwards-McKeown (guitar) is currently in his third year of a combined Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Science at ANU. He is studying classical guitar performance with world-renowned guitar pedagogue Timothy Kain, following on from his previous studies with Mark Norton and Minh Le Hoang. He was recently a finalist in the 2013 Singapore International Guitar Competition.

Emma Rayner (piano) began learning piano in 2001 and upon moving to Canberra in 2008, began studying with Marie Cull. Since then, she has won many prizes in local piano competitions such as the Janice Battison Competition and the Australian National Eisteddfod.

Matthew Ventura (flute) is currently studying a Bachelor of Music on Bassoon with Rick McIntyre at the ANU School of Music. In 2012 he received his AMusA Flute diploma with distinction, and continues to study flute with Virginia Taylor. He has been selected as finalist in last year’s Australian Flute Festival Young Artists Competition.

Alys Rayner (viola) began learning the violin from Mrs Margaret Moore in Albury. Since moving to Canberra in 2008, and learning from Barbara Jane Gilby, many musical opportunities have opened up for her.

Rowan Phemister (harp) is a Year 12 student from Yass. He has been studying the harp with Alice Giles since he was nine years of age. Rowan is part of the ANU School of Music pre-tertiary Year 12 and chamber music programs. He is principal harpist with the Canberra Youth Orchestra.

Wesley Music Instrumental Scholars, Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest,  $5 minimum entry or concession $2. Refreshments $2,  No bookings required.