WHEN Emma-Marie Kabanova packed up her violin in Corfe Mullen to head for Russia nine years ago, she had no idea just how powerful her instrument could be.

Today she is proof music spreads hope after changing the lives of hundreds of the most vulnerable and under-privileged young people in Russia.

The 33-year-old founded the music ensemble Globus Music which raises thousands of pounds for children’s charities in Russia after witnessing first-hand how music can change lives after she performed in orphanages, prisons, hospitals and asylums.

Emma-Marie, who has now been honoured with a prestigious award from Theresa May, said: “Music is a wonderful gift that can transcend sorrow, unite people and turn thoughts to that which is good.

“In 2007 I packed up my violin and set off to test this belief in Russia.”

For most of the vulnerable children, it was the first time they had ever seen a violin let alone heard classical music.

Emma-Marie, who now lives in Moscow with her photographer husband, recalls one time she visited boys at a centre for young offenders who swore at her – until they heard her rendition of Bach Prelude in E Major.

“After I had played they started cheering and clapping. They made me play it over and over again. This kind of reaction never happens in a concert hall.”

Another time Emma-Marie played the violin solo from Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherezade to young girls who had been working as prostitutes.

Emma-Marie, whose father is the pastor of Knoll Farm Church in Corfe Mullen, explained: “One of them drew a picture of a princess in a tower and an angel reaching out to her.

“She said the music made her feel safe.”

However the moment she will never forget was when she told young offenders about the life of composer Dmitri Shostakovich.

She explained: “At a certain stage in his life, he sunk into a deep depression and decided to end his life. As a final gesture, he wrote a string quartet into which he poured his emotions. Writing the music helped him come out of the depression. I told this story and then we listened to a recording. Listening to the music, one of the boys started crying. The other boys gathered around him and put their arms around him. The next week this boy was smiling and communicative, whereas before he had been completely withdrawn."

Emma-Marie decided she could make a bigger impact with the help of more musicians so founded Globus Music in 2014 with the aim of popularising British classical music in Moscow and raising money for children’s charities.

Today the ensemble is a collaboration between artists from the Bolshoi Theatre, musicians from the Moscow Conservatory and dancers from the Kremlin Ballet Theatre.

The former Corfe Hills School pupil, who graduated from Goldsmith’s College, University of London with a master’s degree in music, said each summer the ensemble stages an opera in the park. Another highlight was a performance at a children’s cancer ward where Emma-Marie and ballerina Joy Womack performed extracts from The Nutcracker.

The violinist and artistic director has recently received a personal letter from Prime Minister Theresa May for a Points of Light award to celebrate her achievements.

Emma-Marie said: “Our concerts raise money for charities that are truly making a difference. I am immensely humbled to know that my small efforts have been recognised and hope that my music may continue to be a point of light.

“It is very satisfying to be able to help give young people a better chance in life.”

For information, search Globus Music on Facebook.