Isabelle was awarded a grant to help with the costs of making a cello, which was to be a third year project.  The pictures show the cello in progress, including purfling that Isabelle made from boxwood and stained poplar.

She was also given a two-week work placement in Summer 2010 with Helen Michetschläger in Manchester, working on a Bergonzi model violin that Helen was making.

Isabelle writes about her award:
"With the RAB trust financial help, I was able to buy good quality wood for my cello in progress and I am currently choosing fittings for it.  The RAB Trust also arranged for me to spend two weeks in Helen Michetschläger's workshop.  She was working at the time on a Bergonzi model violin.  I helped her with various tasks: preparing and gluing the linings, cutting the purfling channel, fitting and gluing the purfling in, helping with thicknessing, working on the fluting of the scroll.  I was given valuable technical tips and encouraged to work more efficiently and fluently, which I strive to put into practice in my final year in Newark.  The high standard of Helen's working methods and her generosity in sharing her knowledge have made my placement an inspiring experience."

Isabelle was given a further award in 2011 towards the purchase of tools for setting up her instruments.