A BEAMINSTER teenager has sung her way into the regional finals of a national competition.

Any Walklett, 17, has received a thumbs up from judges at her TeenStar audition in Southampton. Amy has made it through to the regional finals of the UK’s only singing and dancing competition exclusively for teens and pre-teens, and will now be performing in a live showcase in the competition.

TeenStar is searching for the UK’s best teen and pre-teen singers, singer-songwriters, rappers, dancers and dance groups of all genres and styles.

The competition has now opened its doors to dancers too. Amy is now in the running to follow in the footsteps of previous winners Luke Friend and Emily Middlemas, and compete for a place in the grand final.

Amy said: "I’m currently studying music at the Academy of Music and Sound in Exeter and I have my grade eight singing and grade three piano.

"I hope to start gigging in the area this summer and long-term, my goal is to be working and performing in the music industry."

Thousands of hopefuls entered TeenStar nationwide and hundreds of performers queued patiently on the day for their turn to impress the judges.

Those who made it through the audition stage will take part in a live regional head-to-head battle. They will be performing in front of hundreds of audience members and a professional judging panel to win a place at the national grand final.

Chris Grayston, events coordinator for TeenStar, said: “We are looking to find an act that has something unique to offer, another Birdy or Luke Friend that can go all the way, with both the ability to deliver a strong live performance but also potential to become a professional recording artist or dance act.

"Now with the addition of dance acts, these shows are going to be so exciting to watch and judge. There is so much talent out there I’m sure we can find that star again.”

The competition is divided into age categories - late teens, mid teens and a special category searching for the stars of tomorrow, the pre-teens.

The latter stages of the competition will also provide acts with the opportunity to impress many guests from record labels, agencies and the entertainment industry as well as judges from BBC Introducing, national radio and regional press. Past judges for Future Music competitions include BBC Radio 1’s Annie Nightingale, KISS FM’s Charlie Hedges and four time Ivor Novello award winner Mark Hill, also known as one half of the Artful Dodger, plus A&R reps from Sony, Warner and Syco Entertainment.

For more information, visit teenstarcompetition.co.uk