Tonight, Wednesday 23rd March, was the first time since starting university that I have truly felt inspired by children.

I have just spent my evening at the Caird Hall seeing Dundee Schools Orchestra and Bands Spring Concert. Thirty minutes after leaving, I’m still full of adrenaline and I am smiling from cheek to cheek.

Music is the heart and soul of my family. My dad is a trained music teacher. My mum and dad own and run three musical theatre companies, which I have gained a lot of my teaching experience from. I play both the piano and cello at grade 8, and spent several of my lunch times at school at orchestras and choir practice.

As a training teacher and someone with a love of music, it was so enjoyable to see so many children taking part in music tuition in a range of instruments to SUCH a high quality!

Primary 7 pupils from across Dundee took part in the Aspire Dundee Samba performance and it was absolutely FANTASTIC, transporting the audience to Africa! They were all so enthusiastic throughout the whole piece, executing choreography and difficult rhythm and timing, as well as displaying amazing cooperation and team work.

After reading so many books and articles about the importance of music, it was amazing to see the impact it truly has on young people. Hundreds of pupils stood on that stage tonight, with even more people packed into the audience, all beaming with pride.

Music really does play such an important part in a child’s life and the work that Dundee City Council have done to encourage and inspire youngsters into music is absolutely fantastic. And best of all, it is free! The Aspire programme that has been set up is groundbreaking, and I really hope that other local authorities across Scotland follow in their footsteaps.

If anybody is at a loose end tomorrow night then PLEASE go to the Caird Hall to support this fantastic talent.

Well done and thank you to the young people of Dundee, you made my week and showed everybody what music really is about!