Bermuda-born violinist Mairéad Hickey will return to the island this weekend for the Bermuda Philharmonic Society’s Autumn Classics concert.

Ms Hickey said yesterday: “It’s fantastic being back in Bermuda. I still have a lot of friends here so we have been visiting people and catching up.

“I left the island when I was seven, when we moved to Ireland, but I still have lots of fond memories.”

Ms Hickey has won numerous awards for her performances, including winning the Jeunesses Musicales International Violin Competition in Romania in 2012 and the Antonio Salieri prize in Italy in 2010.

Ms Hickey said that her love of music began while she was on the island.

She said: “My dad played in a lot of bands — three or four bands in Bermuda — and I used to follow him around.

“Then I had a really, really fantastic teacher, Jyrki Pietila. I started to take lessons four times a week.”

Ms Hickey said she had already been rehearsing with the Bermuda Philharmonic Society in advance of tomorrow’s concert, which will feature a range of classical music.

“It’s going to be a great night with really beautiful music,” she said.

“I think it’s very important, especially for young people, to be exposed to good music.

“That’s what inspired me to practice.”

The Autumn Classics concert will be held at St John’s Church, Pembroke, starting at 7pm.

Tickets cost $30 or $15 for students and seniors with $60 front-row seats for patrons.

Tickets can be bought at PTix, Harbourmaster, Vallis & Hayward Ltd, or at the door.