Star violinist Leslie Tucker will continue to chase his music dream after he was awarded a $2,000 scholarship.The 20-year-old musician won the 2019 Bermuda Philharmonic Scholarship for “outstanding skill, achievement and obvious passion”.Leslie, who is studying music education at the University of North Carolina, said the scholarship reminded him how much encouragement he had back home.He explained: “It has been a boost for me personally, knowing that I have great support from the music community in Bermuda.“It keeps me going, realising that I have so many people rooting for me.”Leslie, originally from Warwick, said that he became interested in the violin when he was 7.He explained that he was introduced to the instrument through a music programme at his school and it quickly became an integral part of his life.Leslie said: “The violin has been all I have known for about 13 years. It has become part of my identity.“I cannot see myself pursuing any other career that does not involve music.”He added: “The thing that I enjoy the most about the violin is the beautiful sounds that can be produced, as well as the variety.“I also enjoy the various technical aspects of the violin that affect the sounds produced.”Leslie’s love of music inspired him to apply for the $2,000 bursary offered by the Bermuda Philharmonic Society.He explained that he took part in a small performance in May and was interviewed a month later.Leslie added that he discovered in September that he had been awarded the $2,000 prize.This came around the same time he was awarded a $10,000 bursary by the Bermuda Arts Council.Leslie said that he planned to study piano in university to broaden his musical talents.He added that he hoped to become a performer, particularly in a violin ensemble, after he completed his degree.Leslie also said that he might return to Bermuda as a music teacher for the public school system or the Bermuda School of Music.