Young Musician: Alannah Saphir

Alannah, a former pupil of St. Aidan’s School, Harrogate, is currently taking a gap year before studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Her musical journey began at age 5 with piano and at 7 with flute. In 2019, Alannah won her category at the European Piano Teachers Association Competition at the Royal Academy of Music. Now focusing on the flute, she studies with renowned flautist Anna Noakes at the Royal Academy of Music.She won Ripon Young Musician of the Year in 2023 and the Harrogate Young Musician of the Festival in 2024. Alannah also reached the national final of the Rotary Club Music Competition. She is Principal Flute in the Opera North Youth Orchestra, performing works by composers like Sibelius and Shostakovich. Earlier this year Alannah gave a local recital at Christ Church, Harrogate, and this concert marks her debut at the Harrogate International Festivals.