Nia Avenell and the Bennett Viola Appear on Britain’s Got Talent Final
Cherubim Music Trust awardee Nia Avenell, performer on the 19th-century German Bennett Viola, has appeared in the Britain’s Got Talent Final, joined the National Youth Music Theatre for a seventh year, and secured a first professional orchestral appointment with Wonderlore.
An Exciting time for Nia
Over the past year, Nia has embarked on an exciting new chapter, building on their musical achievements while expanding their creative horizons as a performer. Having focused on A Levels and college applications last year, Nia is now studying as an actor-musician at Rose Bruford College, one of the UK’s leading conservatoires for theatre and performance.
As the only violinist and violist in their cohort, Nia has quickly become an in-demand collaborator, applying their classical training in a wide variety of theatrical and musical settings. The course has offered opportunities to explore a highly creative and interdisciplinary approach to performance, helping Nia develop as both a musician and a storyteller.
Alongside their studies, Nia continues to be an active member of the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT), one of the UK’s foremost organisations for young performers. This summer marks their remarkable seventh year with the company, as they join the band for Everyday, a brand-new musical by Nick Barstow and Martha Geelan. The production will be presented at Birmingham Hippodrome from 20–22 August 2026.
Another exciting milestone has been Nia’s appointment to their first professional orchestral position with Wonderlore, a newly established London-based orchestra dedicated to celebrating the music of fantasy, film and video games. The ensemble’s debut concert will take place on 5 September 2026 at St Luke’s Church, Hampstead, marking an important step in Nia’s developing professional career.
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Perhaps the most memorable moment of all came last weekend, when Nia and the Bennett Viola made their television debut in the live final of Britain’s Got Talent. Performing alongside NYMT alumnus Rafferty Coope, Nia appeared before a national television audience as part of the competition’s climactic live show.
The experience provided a unique insight into the world of live television production and large-scale performance, while also bringing the Bennett Viola to an audience far beyond the traditional concert hall. Viewers watching closely may even have spotted the instrument in a close-up during the broadcast.
Stories like Nia’s demonstrate the far-reaching impact that access to high-quality instruments can have on talented young musicians. From theatre productions and youth music organisations to professional orchestras and national television appearances, the Bennett Viola continues to support a new generation of artists as they build their careers.
We are immensely proud of all that Nia has achieved and look forward to following the next stage of their musical journey.
Congratulations, Nia!
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