Fourteen-year-old Ellie Pybus has recently been offered a place in the National Youth Choir of Great Britain (NYCGB). The youngster is currently studying for her GCSEs at Saint Felix School in Southwold, a school with a strong musical reputation.
Ellie began singing at the age of eight performing in musical theatre, and only began singing classically three years ago when she came to the school. Ms Vetta Wise, Head of Vocal Studies, became Ellie’s singing tutor.
‘I came to Saint Felix on a piano scholarship, and the school was keen for me to sing too,' explains Ellie. 'At first I didn’t want to sing classically, but with Ms Wise teaching me I started to like it.’
Ellie has come a long way in those three years.
‘The highlights for me have been going on the choir trips to Salzburg and to Rome, where we sang in the Vatican. They were both great fun and good experience.
‘I have been put in the Northern section of the NYCGB, as they place you depending on your style, age and experience. So twice a year I will spend a week with them doing rehearsals and concerts.’
Having auditioned in November 2010 for the NYCGB, getting in was no mean feat. Only one in eight of the sopranos who auditioned for the choir were offered places, and Ellie sees this offer as a vital opportunity to gain more experience as a classical singer.
‘If I get the opportunity to sing as a career that would be fantastic,’ says Ellie, ‘but it's early days and I just want to enjoy what I’m doing at the moment.’