Writer and musician Andrew Peggie continues his series of case studies, meeting young people across the UK and finding out what making music means to them.
Meet 16-year-old Ruth, a pianist, singer and buddding songwriter from Brixton, South London.
* Ruth sings in a gospel choir, plays piano and writes songs...
* ..."to keep me calm and positive about things"
* She believes ambition is the most important thing for a successful career
* She dreams of exploring: studios, artists, different music
Ruth lives amidst the lively bustle of multi-cultural Brixton in South London with her Nigerian-born parents, sister and brother. Maybe that's why she says music "keeps me calm and positive about things". Was there a specific occasion when she got turned on to music? "Not really. I liked playing things on the piano and I liked what I heard. Then I decided to see if I could get piano lessons."
Fortunately her secondary school came good on this one, and she's been having lessons through the school for three years. "I play most days and listen to music all the time. At school I'm mostly playing and creating or in music lessons." In fact, her musical focus appears to be as much on composing and singing as on the piano. "I sing in the gospel choir. My mum and sister are part of the church choir."
So where does her inspiration come from? "Teachers, musical stars. I keep going thanks to my teachers, but also just habit. And I'm trying for a Youth Arts Leader Award." Then, later, she becomes more philosophical: "I like to compose music about the things I see in life. I get frustrated when I don't get what I'm looking for - when the piece doesn't sound like I hear it in my head. Thankfully it all works out, though. Music's part of my creativity in life."
It's ordinary, normal, integrated - but also important, special, separate. "I don't really know how to describe it," she says of her music. "It's very reflective." Like many pianists and songwriters, Ruth's musical journey appears to be a rather solitary one - about herself in relation to life, rather than part of an active musical peer group. She's most proud so far of the three songs she has completed, and mentions (almost in passing) that "my song was performed at the Laban Centre."
But there's also a hint of struggle. "The hardest thing I do is reading music. The way I see myself making greater music is by visiting different musicians, more studios, and listening. Also, I need to do a lot more practice..." She dreams of the professional work of Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles and Diana Ross; "exploring, visiting studios, musicians and different kinds of music." She has a sense of a much bigger musical world out there.
Is there almost too much music around to absorb? "No. Because each [piece] has its own identity that is different from all others. My favourite music makes me understand about the way life is presented before me. I know if a song is good by reading the lyrics and seeing how well the tune backs them up."
In five years' time, Ruth will be long gone from school. Where does she imagine her music might take her by then? "Teaching younger ones around me," she says.