Young violinists were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience when they were coached by international musician Tasmin Little.

The superstar, pictured here with pupils James Flanagan and Ben Lawson, visited Bradford Grammar School to give a masterclass to six of the school's most talented youngsters.

Other members of the independent school's music department, staff and students, crowded into the Duncan Watson Auditorium, a new facility, to hear the three hour masterclass.

The students hand-picked to take part are nearly all at Grade eight standard: Andrew Wagstaff, 13; Aaron Berry, 17; Michael Twaddle, ten; William Green, 11; Ben Lawson, 12; and James Flanagan, 14.

They performed a piece for Ms Little and she then coached them and passed on the benefit of her experience, explaining musical and technical points to the audience.

"They will take that experience with them for the rest of their lives," said Tracy Keeley, head of strings at Bradford Grammar School.

"It's fantastic a star like her would take the time to come along. These children are very privileged but they're nice children at the end of the day and they do appreciate it."

Mrs Keeley said her husband James managed to arrange the visit by speaking to Ms Little's agent.

"He's a barrister and has a way with words, so I get him to do my dirty work," she said. "She was in Leeds the night before, doing a concert, and came the next morning but we are grateful because she has such a busy schedule and two children."

The young performers selected for the masterclass had been nervous beforehand but were "really bright eyed" after, she said.

"Tasmin is such a charismatic person, as well as a great artist," she said. "The whole music department was watching and it was like being a fly on the wall at one of her coaching sessions."

The school has a strong music department and runs a symphony orchestra, a chamber orchestra, and several quartets. "Children do so many things and a lot aren't dedicated to one thing," Mrs Keeley said. "We're trying to get standards very very high. I'm not saying they're all going to be professional musicians. But it's such a gift to be able to do what they do."

Tasmin Little is regarded as one of the world's leading violinists. She plays a 1757 Guadagnini violin and also has on loan from the Royal Academy of Music, the 'Regent' Stradivarius.

Although born in London, Tasmin Little's connection to Bradford is a strong one thanks to her father, the actor George Little who played vicar Edwin Ruskin in the early episodes of Emmerdale.

His old school used to stand on the site of what is now the University of Bradford.

On campus, the Tasmin Little Music Centre was opened in 1997 after she was awarded an honorary degree.