Musician, 12, strums way to New York scholarship

A YOUNG Limerick musician has won a scholarship to a world famous jazz institute in New York.

Andreas Varady, 12, who plays bass guitar, will get intensive tuition at the Skidmore College from June 26 to July 10 with the help of funding from the Northern Ireland Arts Council.

Skidmore College is a private arts college with an enrolment of more than 2,500 students in the small historic city of Saratoga Springs, New York.

Andreas, who attends JFK primary school in the Ennis Road, stated to play the guitar at the age of three when his family lived in Slovakia. The family moved from Slovakia nearly three years ago and live in Farranshone, Limerick.

His mother, Beata, who will accompany him to New York, said they are delighted that Andreas is getting this great opportunity to develop his musical talents.

She said: “He does not read music but plays by ear. My husband, Ondregy started teaching him at a very early age. Our two other children Beata, 9, and Aidrian, 8, also sing and play music.”

Belfast musician David Little, who plays drums with the Varadys, found out about the scholarship and got Andreas to send off CDs of his music to the Northern Ireland Arts Council.

Beata said: “He is very much looking forward to meeting other musicians at the New York college. It is a great honour.”

The scholarship is worth €2,600, which pays for tuition, flights and accommodation.

A jazz day was held in Nancy Blakes last Sunday to raise money to pay for Beata’s travelling expenses.