AWARD winning classical guitarist Thu Le will demonstrate her mastery of the instrument in Otley next month.

Originally from Vietnam and currently living in Bahrain, Thu Le - given name Le Thi Thu - will take the stage at Otley Courthouse on Friday, July 6.

Thu Le began learning guitar from her father, Le Hanh, when she was four and at the age of seven entered the Hanoi National Conservatory of Music, now called the Vietnam Music Academy, where she studied for 15 years.

She was a very busy student, but relished the intensity despite the long hours required to balance her musical and academic education.

She said: “I enjoyed it a lot and felt proud that I could study as a professional guitarist at a very young age.

“At the conservatory we learned many subjects related to music, not only playing guitar.

“My father worked at home most of the time, as a painter and music teacher, so he had time to monitor me and help me with my practices which were four to five hours every day after the school.”

Thu Le has now been playing and performing for 35 years now and is a multiple award winner who has played in countries around the world including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Nepal, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, the UK, France and Italy.

She had her very first recital at the tender age of five in a theatre in Hanoi, when she was accompanied by her father.

During her time in the conservatory Le performed many times at guitar clubs and on radio stations and television programmes.

Her repertoire includes Western Classical as well as New Flamenco, Latino and Spanish music.

Thu Le’s Otley performance starts at 8pm and tickets cost £12.

They can be booked by visiting www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, calling (01943) 467466 or popping into the Courthouse, on Courthouse Street, Otley.