A TEENAGER will be singing in front of hundreds of people at a musical festival in her home town this summer after winning a talent competition.

The three main schools of Monmouth showcased their best talent on the stage of the Blake Theatre last Wednesday night (21st March) at the popular ‘Monmouth’s Got Talent’ competition.

Pupils from Monmouth School for Girls, Monmouth School for Boys and Monmouth Comprehensive School competed for the prize of performing on the main stage at this year’s Monmouth Festival which takes between 27th July and 4th August.

This year’s event was in support of the Ted Foundation, which was formed in memory of former pupil Ted Senior who died recently.

Special guest judges this year were singer Ellie Higgs and Mel Ralph and Steve Stretford from Monmouth Festival. Head team judges were Nyasha Katande from Monmouth School for Girls, Ollie Trumper and Frankie Crilly from Monmouth Comprehensive School and Erin McInned Willard from Monmouth School for Girls.

Musician Ella James will performing a 15-minute set at the annual Monmouth Festival after shining with her acoustic version of Feeling Good by Nina Simone.

“Feeling Good is a song which I have recently picked up on and it is often performed with a backing track and by a soul singer,” said Ella, who plays the guitar.

Ella will be joined at the festival by Monmouth School for Girls’ dance group, Monmouth Girls Dance and Carys (MGDC), which finished runners-up in the competition at The Blake Theatre.

Fellow pupil Carys Davies, who sings for the dance group, has been asked to perform the national anthem at Monmouth Festival. 

Ella, who lives in Monmouth, added: “I am enjoying my singing very much and I am planning to do more open mic competitions when I get the chance.

“I have an exciting recording opportunity coming up at Rockfield Studios so I want to get my music out there as much as I can while focusing on my A-level studies.”