Aspiring musician mixes hip hop and classical

11:29am Tuesday 19th August 2008

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With just four weeks left to enter someone for News Shopper's Our Young Stars awards, DAVID MILLS finds out about a musical nominee.

CLASSICAL music and hip hop might seem a strange combination, but Naomi Francis blends the two perfectly.

The 15-year-old of South Park Crescent, Catford, has been nominated by her father in the special talent category for the News Shopper's Our Young Stars awards.

Naomi, a pupil at Prendergast School, Hilly Fields, Adelaide Avenue, Brockley, has been playing the trumpet since the age of six.

She had already reached grade six by the age of 14 and hopes to make grade seven - the highest level for trumpet playing.

As well as performing in her school orchestra and at the opening of the renovated Royal Festival Hall in March, Naomi has also shown her talents on the hip hop stage.

She has also appeared in a hip hop video on music television channel Channel U.

Last month Naomi also took part in the Lewisham People's Day, a community festival featuring a variety of bands and performers.

Her father Anthony Francis, a programme manager for an IT company, said: "This was my way of saying I am aware you're doing well.

"For other kids it's great if they see someone that age who can incorporate classical instruments and popular ones as well.

"They can see that this person does hip hop and also plays the trumpet.

"It shows diversity and skill and enables her to be creative.

"Some of the stuff she's written is very relevant, for example about social issues, it's like poetry. "

The 46-year-old added: "Naomi hopefully will give confidence and aspiration to others that this person who has done this hasn't been involved in any problems or altercations, and that she's doing well in school, and doing social activities that enables her to be creative."