A SINGING starlet from Rugby has made it to the area final of a prestigious national talent show.
Oliwia Dragon wowed judges at the regional final of the Teenstar competition in Birmingham on Saturday (April 7).
The 14-year-old won through to the area final thanks to her rendition of The Script’s Hall of Fame, a song she first performed at the World Rugby Hall of Fame last year.
The Avon Valley School student – a member of local girl band The Millenniums and one of a number of local young singers supported by Rugby Area Talent Trust (RATT) – was the only one of 18 performers at the regional final to perform with live accompaniment, with RATT Musical Director Duncan Arrow on piano and Amie Boyd on percussion.
A delighted Oliwia said: “I’m really happy that I have got so far. This is another great achievement and experience for me and I’m hoping to get even further, to the grand final.”
Duncan added: “Oliwia was always going to be a contender, but she totally nailed the song on the day and showed great professionalism and stage presence.
“Demonstrating how she is able to work with other live musicians was also a big plus. I’m sure that would have been a clincher for the judges when making comparisons with the other performers – and there were some good ones.”
A busload of fans came to support Oliwia – including past Mayor of Rugby Coun Sally Bragg, who supported RATT as her mayoral charity in 2016 and saw Oliwia’s first audition for RATT.
Coun Bragg said: “It’s great to follow Oliwia’s progress and see how she has benefitted from RATT coaching and experience. I might be biased but she was definitely the best singer and thoroughly deserves her place in the next round.”
Oliwia will perform in the area final at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall on May 20.
