TRIBUTES have been paid to a teacher who inspired generations of children through her love and passion for music.

Mrs Nesta Williams, who worked at Monmouth School for Girls for 23 years and was known as a talented pianist, has died aged 84.

She arrived in Monmouth in 1971 and later became the director of music, staying with the school until her retirement in 1994.

As the director of music, Mrs Williams staged musicals and adapted operas for children.

She worked closely with Mr Mario Conway, who has recently retired as the director of music at Monmouth School for Girls.

“Nesta will be remembered fondly for her elegance, kindness, positivity and warm smile,” said Mr Conway, a close friend.

“She introduced the Eisteddfod at the school which remains one of the creative highlights in the school calendar today. Nesta will be greatly missed by everyone in the Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools family and in the wider local community where she was very active.”

The accomplished pianist won a scholarship to Vienna at 16 but took up a place at the Royal Academy.

Her sister, Gloria Price, a harpist, said: "Very few people knew how talented Nesta was because she never talked about it and she did a tremendous amount of charity work."

After training as a teacher in Cardiff, Nesta became head of music at a school in Caerphilly, before taking up the same roles at Llandrindod Wells, Lydney and then Monmouth.

Mrs Price said: "Nesta had a wonderful rapport with her pupils and the feeling she had for music was brought out in others.

"She was actively involved at Raglan Parc Golf Club but music was her love."

Mrs Williams died on February 1 after a short illness. Her funeral will take place at St Giles’ Church in Goodrich on February 17 at 2pm.