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Three pupils from Newry based music school Flynn Performing Arts are in with a chance of flying the flag for Ireland in this years Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Armenia in December. The search for the Irish star has begun and TG4 will be broadcasting the entire competition every Sunday at 8.30pm until 23rd Oct.
From 4000 entries, 24 were selected to appear on the televised live heats including three local school girls, Clare Keeley, 12 from Gilford, a 2nd Year at Our Lady’s Grammar School, Niamh Noade, 14 from Lislea a 3rd Year at St. Paul’s High School and Sophie Lennon, 12 from Mayobridge a 2nd Year at Sacred Heart Grammar School.
There will be 6 contestants in each heat, with two making it through to the live semi-finals on 16th October.
Clare Keeley performed in Heat 1 and sailed her way through to the semi-final with an incredible performance of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ in Irish. Niamh Noade will perform on Sunday 2nd Oct and Sophie Lennon will perform on Sunday 9th Oct in the hope of gaining a place in the semi-final.
Founder and director of Flynn Performing Arts, Fiona Flynn said ‘I am so proud of all three girls. They work incredibly hard and deserve all the success that comes their way. I am delighted to be a part of their singing journey and am really looking forward to see what lies ahead for these three shining stars. It is an amazing opportunity for the girls to have the chance to fly the flag for Ireland on the world stage. I am thrilled that the girls’ hard work will be recognised on the television. I am the lucky one who got to preview all three of the girls performances in their lessons. I am delighted that Clare has made it through to the next round and I wish Niamh and Sophie all the best in their heats because I know how hard they have worked too. They are all good friends and are all supporting each other on their own journey.’
The girls have had songs chosen for them and translated into Irish which was an added difficulty as none of them speak Irish. They have had to learn their interviews in Irish also and all three have risen to the challenge and have taken it all in their stride.
Having graduated with a Masters in Vocal Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Fiona Flynn established Flynn Performing Arts in 2015 in Newry. The school gained national recognition with students obtaining the highest marks across the UK & Ireland in examinations for seven consecutive years. The school maintains a 100% distinction record for Musical Theatre Examinations and has raised in excess of £40,000 for local charities. Fiona's pupils have enjoyed huge success recently including BBC School Soloist of the Year, Junior Eurovision, Britain's Got Talent, The Voice Kids, numerous West End, Opera, TV & Film castings, Broadway auditions, Stagebox membership, multiple feiseanna successes and numerous students gaining places and scholarships in Conservatoires and Musical Theatre Colleges across the UK.
