A Jesmond music student has beaten off stiff competition to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share a stage with a world-renowned pianist this coming Sunday.

Photograph: Gilbert Johnston, 07867812537

The fledgling music career of 10-year old Rachel Tsang, from Newcastle Church High School, will receive a huge boost when she performs with award-winning Lang Lang at the Royal Festival Hall in London, on May 22.

Having first tried her hand at the piano aged five, Rachel has already achieved grade six standard. She won her place on the Lang Lang Inspires programme after a successful audition, which was aimed at performers aged between five and 24.

The youngster, who also plays the violin, was voted as one of the 100 outstanding pianists of the future after wowing judges with her audition video.

Rachel, who competed with hundreds of entries, commented: “I love playing the piano and I’m so excited to be able to perform in front of a large audience, and with Lang Lang who is just my idol.

“We’ve already been given our pieces to play during the concert and I’ve been busy practicing them since I found out I’d won a place. It doesn’t get any better than performing with Lang Lang and I can’t wait until the big event.”

Judith Cunningham, head of Church High Junior School, added: “This is an incredible opportunity for such a talented young musician.

“Lang Lang is one of the world’s most influential pianists and for Rachel this is a great honour performing alongside him.

“The project is designed to encourage young people to get involved in music and here at Church High this is something we take very seriously with all our girls getting the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.

“Rachel has loved music from a very young age and we look forward to seeing one of the stars of the future take her first step into the limelight.”