Eleven-year-old folk singer from Wirral in national singing competition

Mar 6 2013 by Linda Foo Guest, Birkenhead News

A TALENTED youngster has made it through to the next stage of a national singing competition.

Eleven-year-old Claudia Faye Freemantle from Prenton auditioned and was picked to go through to the TeenStar live regional showcase finals.

The youngster, who attends Birkenhead High School for Girls, impressed judges with her version of Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi.

The regional finals will be held at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool on March 24.

Claudia said: “I just love to sing. I have just started to write my own songs and I am teaching myself to play keyboard. I am just so excited and can’t wait for the competition.”

TeenStar is a new national talent competition to search for the best teens and pre-teens singers and songwriters. It is run by Future Music who organise Open Mic UK competition.

The grand final will be held at The O2 arena in London where finalists have a chance to be signed up.

Mum Helen added: “Claudia is very shy when talking to people but comes alive when she sings. She is confident about getting up and performing, we are so very proud of her.

“At Christmas she sang a solo of ‘Last Christmas’ in front of a thousand people at Radio City’s Cash for Kids carol concert held at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.

“She received lots of positive feedback and was told to keep on singing and don’t give up as she was really good.

“She has just sang at her school music festival and was placed first in the folk category for Year Seven. They gave her 87%, saying she had a wonderful voice with a really nice tone.”

Tickets for the regional finals in Liverpool are available from Helen on 07905771714 or at www.teenstarcompetition.co.uk