At a special event at the Radio Theatre in London, BBC Radio 3 was announced that José Hernando Arias, a 19 year old self-taught virtuoso accordion player, will be Radio 3's World Routes Academy student with Colombian accordion player Egidio Cuadrado as his mentor.

Now in its third year, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire young world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition.

Born in London but of Colombian descent, the talented young José fell in love with Vallenato, the popular folk-style from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, which he learned from watching clips online and on tapes his father brought back from Colombia. José plays in a number of Vallenato and Cumbia folk bands in London and is currently studying for a degree in Guitar at the Tech Music School in West London.

José says: "I still can't quite believe I'm going to be the apprentice for the World Routes Academy this year. I'm so excited and honoured to be taking part in the scheme and am really looking forward to working with Egidio over the coming months.

For more information visit: World Routes Academy 2012