Northern Ireland

'Angel with the harp' south Armagh schoolgirl hoping to play her way to stardom

Niamh Noade has made it to the final of TeenStar
Niamh Noade has made it to the final of TeenStar Niamh Noade has made it to the final of TeenStar

A SOUTH Armagh schoolgirl described as an "angel with the harp" is hoping to sing and play her way to stardom tonight as the only Irish artist to reach the final of a competition for budding young stars.

Niamh Noade (12) is competing in TeenStar, an international singing contest specifically for teen and pre-teen performers.

A pupil at St Paul's High School in Newry, she is also the first harpist to reach the final.

Her mother Deirdre told The Irish News they were "so proud" she had got so far - beating more than 1,000 artists for a chance to win one-to-one mentoring from music and entertainment industry judges such as Carrie Grant and Julie Miles.

A pupil at St Paul's High School in Newry, she is the first harpist to reach the final of the competition
A pupil at St Paul's High School in Newry, she is the first harpist to reach the final of the competition A pupil at St Paul's High School in Newry, she is the first harpist to reach the final of the competition

Niamh, a member of Traditional Arts Partnership in South Armagh, began singing at the age of seven and plays a number of instruments as well as the harp.

She is also a member of Ring Of Gullion Comhaltas, Newry Youth Performing Arts and Flynn Performing Arts and has won numerous titles in feis competitions and the Armagh Fleadh.

She secured her initial place in the competition by performing True Colours by Cindi Lauper and went on to to impress the judges with performances of A Thousand Years by American singer Christina Perri and the John Legend hit, All of Me.

Last week she performed Imagine by John Lennon for the final, which the judges said was "hypnotic... she really draws you in" and that "she going to have a career" in the music industry.

Since then the public have been voting online for their favourite performer, with the winner announced tonight.

Mrs Noade said they are hopeful the public will get behind Niamh to win.

"Niamh has been playing the harp now for a years now and singing since she was seven, but during lockdown she was singing and playing together more," she said.

"There was nowhere to do and not as much happening and then TeenStar came up and we just said to Niamh she should go for it.

"She has worked hard and we are so proud of her to have reached the final of this competition.

"It's been an amazing opportunity for her, to get down to the final 23 contestants from more than 1,000 is an achievement in itself. She has also received guidance from leading industry professionals, which has been amazing.

"Niamh takes everything in her stride, she's just so chilled about it. But to see how much she progressed in this competition is wonderful."

The final will be broadcast live tonight on the TeenStar website from 7pm and voting closes at 5pm.

Votes cost £1 each. To vote for Niamh, please visit https://votes.teenstarcompetition.co.uk/vote/353

VOTE NIAMH With the live results show fast approaching, we really need your votes to help Niamh win TeenStar! Voting... Posted by Niamh Noade Singing Harpist on Monday, November 30, 2020