A talented young Woodford Green violinist who is dreaming of a music career has been using her skills to help raise money for a local charity.

Danielle Mac, 15, of Frinton Drive, has quickly accumulated a wealth of experience since picking up a bow aged eight including playing at the House of Lords and being trained by a Russian professor.

On Saturday, she performed pieces by Beethoven and Vivaldi to raise money for Haven House Children’s Hospice in High Road, Woodford Green.

Danielle appeared at a Loughton concert organised by West Essex Musicians along with David Albon, 19, of Woodford Green, an accomplished flautist who went to Chigwell School and is now studying at Trinity College of Music.

The evening raised �501 for the charity.

Audience member Lois Loynes said: “Both soloists had excellent technique and very musical expression.”

Danielle is receiving tuition from Felix Andrievsky, a professor of violin at the Royal College of Music, who agreed to give her private lessons.

She said: “The Russian standard for music is very good, it’s very respected.

“He says what he’s looking for in a student, it’s more about their hard work, it’s whether they can push themselves.

“I’m really lucky that he is my teacher.”

Since she was spotted as a special prospect soon after taking up the violin, Danielle has also received help from the Future Talent charity.

They awarded her a high-quality violin to replace a cheap one bought off website eBay and a full-size bow worth �1,800.

Through the charity she has met the Duchess of Cornwall and singer Katherine Jenkins.

The next step for Danielle, who goes to a boarding school in Lincoln, is hopefully to pass an audition for the prestigious Purcell music school in Hertfordshire.

She said: “I’d love to be a musician.

“It’s about building up my repertoire and my skills so I want to focus on that.”