High hopes for Anna

Anna, one of the Chichester Music Academy students who helped launch this year’s Festival of Chichester on the Cathedral Green, will be performing in the competition’s regional final at the Ferneham Hall, Fareham on Saturday, November 29.

Anna, aged 13, performed an original song at the earlier round.

She said she entered the competition as a great experience for future performances: “It has already been a great help with improving my stage presence and confidence. I feel my performance went very well. I took on board the judges’ feedback from the audition and just tried my best.

“I haven’t decided on a song yet (for Saturday) but it will be an original. It is just a case of either writing something new or using a past track I have written.

“Music is so important to me because it helps me express who I am and gives me a way putting across my feelings in a less direct way. I like to try to listen to a wide variety of music, but my main influences are Etta James, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Adele and Paloma Faith. I am also influenced by my tutors at Chichester Music Academy as they help me find my own voice and individuality in my work.

“I didn’t really know what the competition would involve when I first started. It was my first audition but now I am this far through, I’m really enjoying it and it’s become a great experience for me. I am really lucky to have so much support from all my friends and family, and I can’t wait for the next round!”