CLASSICAL guitarist and former star of the Canberra Youth Orchestra, Ciaran Edwards-McKeown, has made the finals for the Sydney Eisteddfod’s NSW Drs Orchestra Instrumentalist Scholarship.

In 2014, Edwards-McKeown completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the ANU in 2014, majoring in mathematics, all the while studying the classical guitar Canberra’s’ very own international guitar guru, Tim Kain. He is now studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Russian guitar virtuoso Vladimir Gorbach.

He has already has won many Prizes, including first place in guitar and chamber music sections at the 2014 Australian National Eisteddfod and the 2013 Singapore International Guitar Competition.

As winner of the Canberra Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, Edwards-McKeown performed as soloist in Nigel Westlake’s “Antarctica Suite” for guitar and orchestra under the baton of Rowan Harvey-Martin. His ambition is to become a professional musician and after completing his degree at the Sydney Conservatorium, he wants to engage in further studies and compete in festivals and competitions in Australia and overseas.

Carrying $10,500 in total prize money, the Sydney Eisteddfod NSW Drs Orchestra Instrumental Scholarship always attracts the top talent from all over Australasia and since its beginning in 2009, all previous winners have excelled in studies abroad and some have progressed into professional careers, which is the idea.

Sydney Eisteddfod NSW Drs Orchestra Instrumental Scholarship, Recital Hall West, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Friday, August 21 at 7:30pm. Bookings to  sydneyeistedfod.com.au or tickets at the door.