AS gigs go, they don’t come much smaller – but for rising star Nina Nesbitt, this acoustic session in front of 12 fans was about more than performing.
The 18-year-old singer was back in her home town of Edinburgh to play for a group of children at the city’s Royal Blind School.
Aged between 11 and 19 – and most with complex disabilities – the session was a chance for these young people to relax and just enjoy the experience of listening to live music.
It was arranged by Nordoff Robbins, who provide music therapy to people of all ages and with a range of conditions.
This was Nina’s first session for the charity – who are one of the Sunday Mail Centenary Fund’s good causes – for whom she has just become an ambassador.
Before she sang, Nina, who was a pupil at the city’s Balerno High, explained how she got into music.
She said: “I like to create my own songs. If I’m worried about anything, I’ll put it into music. It’s easier to express yourself through music.”
Her words resonated with teacher Carolyn Thornton, who told Nina: “One of the best ways of communicating is through music so thanks so much for bringing your music to us.
“We always get a fantastic response to music. It’s like putting a key into a locked door.”
Nina performed her new single Stay Out and the melancholy Two Worlds Away about her younger days growing up in Edinburgh.
Though she only intended to play two songs, she was persuaded to stay on for a third, performing Hold You for teenager Matthew Goode, who is visually impaired and unable to communicate verbally.
Nina, whose first album is due to be released this summer, is now touring and will play at big festivals this year, including T in the Park.
She said: “After I’ve been on tour at the end of this year, I’ll do more writing. I have no days off but I like it.”
- For more information on music therapy, visit www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk
