A TEENAGE singer from Otley is preparing to perform in front of thousands.

Fifteen year old Emeli Mumford has made it through to the final of the SoundWaves Music Competition - a major talent-spotting contest.

The Prince Henry's Grammar School student had to get past four stages, including a first audition, live audition and 'checkpoint' to reach the event's concluding level.

As a reward she will will take to the stage of the O2 Academy in Leeds on Saturday, January 21 in a bid to impress the guest judges and win a prize to boost her musical ambitions.

Emeli's mother, Sarah, said: "She is really excited and delighted to now have the chance to play alongside 13 other acts plus guest act Ella Shaw, a Britain's Got Talent finalist, in the Soundwaves Final!

"Emeli has been singing since she was three - in the car and around the house and in front of anyone who wants to listen!

"I give her my full support and am very proud of the fact she has made it through to the final of such a big competition.

"She has been having singing lessons with Kate Hollands at Pro Voice Studios, in Manchester, and with the Performance Drama School in Otley in recent years.

"That, coupled with a singing part in the school production of Hairspray coming up this term, means she gets plenty of practice."

A fan of musical theatre and influenced by the likes of Sara Bareilles, Jess Glynne and Birdy, Emeli has been singing for 18 months and has previously reached the regional finals of Teenstar, Open Mic UK and Beyond the Lights UK.

Her first music video, Soar, has been playing as part of Yorkshire Music Box on the big screen in Bradford for the past eight months, while three of her original songs can be heard online at soundcloud.com/emeli-5 .

Emeli emphasises how much music means to her on her own website, at emelim2001.wixsite.com/emeli .

She said: "When I hear the start of a song I know, with a microphone in hand and some sort of an audience, I'm in my happiest place.

"Ever since I was around four I'd love to stand with my little lisp and proudly sing a song.

"I could recount every word to songs including the whole Sound of Music album or songs from Oliver!.

"I'll just sing any time, any place, and that's what most people know me for."

The Faculty Leader in Performing Arts at Prince Henry’s, Peter Condry, said: “Emeli is a fantastic singer - a very keen music student at school, who performs regularly in school concerts.

“In fact, local audiences can enjoy her performance in our school musical Hairspray in the first week of February.

“We have heard her sing both cover versions and her own music at school and I'm confident that people will be in for a great night at the SoundWaves final, and wherever she performs in future.”

Among the prizes up for grabs at the SoundWaves finals - which also include shows at O2 venues in Newcastle and Glasgow - are a full day's recording package and release and live radio slots.