Sophie’s a star

It was a remarkable year for the 12-year-old singing sensation and 2012 promises to follow in the same vein.

The Lurgan Junior High School student picked up the Rose Bowl as the overall winner of the junior section at Portadown Speech and Drama Festival.

She also won a talent contest at her school and a similar competition during youth week in Lurgan as well as finishing runner up at the Craigavon and District Junior Stars In Your Eyes contest. She played the joint leading role in her school’s Christmas play - The Boyfriend.

As a member of St Agnes’ Choral Society in Belfast, Sophie will appear as one of the orphans in the production of Annie in the Grand Opera House in February.

She has set up a profile on YouTube where she posts her renditions of all the latest chart hits. For a girl of 12, she’s an assured performer who looks destined for big things.

Sophie, whose mother Jenny and father Hubert are both teachers, said: “Clara Wilson, my singing teacher, is a real inspiration to me. She sings and play the piano. I want to be like her. She’s my role model.”

She admires the work of Jessie J, Adele and Bruno Mars and has got her Grade Three Classical qualification - working towards Grade Six in Musical Theatre as well as playing Piano at Grade Four.

She added: “I just want people to hear me singing and performing. I get a real buzz from being on stage in front of people. I sung in the nativity play in P3. I loved it and just wanted to learn and get better and better.

“I’ve always been interested in shows like Britain’s Got Talent, but I’m not 100 per cent sure if that’s the way I want to go.”

Sophie also likes arts & crafts, dancing and gymnastics. She’s currently learning hip-hop dancing with Vibe Academy in Lurgan.

The young singer will be 13 on January 9, she spoke of her composure as a musical performer:

“I used to get nervous,” she said.

“I’ve noticed the last couple of performances I wasn’t as nervous. I just took it as a bit of fun.

“I’m really looking forward to the Grand Opera House next year.”

Sophie saved the last word for her parents. She said: “My mum and dad have been great. My dad in particular has been very supportive. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them.”