Zahra Huq in regional finals of TeenStar

Zahra Huq

Zahra Huq has made it through to the regional finals of TeenStar, the singing and dancing competition exclusively for teens and pre-teens.

The Rochdale teen, who won first prize at the Rochdale Music Festival in the pop-singing category this year, is now in the running to compete for a place in the Grand Final.

Zahra will perform in a live showcase in the competition in front of hundreds of audience members and a professional judging panel to try and win a place at the final.

Speaking about the audition process, Zahra said: “It was quite exciting and nerve-wrecking to go through the audition process. The auditionee is given only two minutes to perform 'a cappella'. Song choice is crucial and being able to showcase your voice and musical ability in two minutes is not that easy.”

She added: “I’m looking forward to the live stage performance at the regional final: I want to pour my heart into the song on that day.

“I have chosen some fantastic and difficult songs for the later stages of the competition, so I am determined to stay in the competition until I have sung my favourite songs for the audience.

“I hope the judges and the audience like my performance.”

Chris Grayston, Events Coordinator for TeenStar, said: “We are looking to find an act that has something unique to offer, another Birdy or Luke Friend that can go all the way, with both the ability to deliver a strong live performance but also potential to become a professional recording artist or dance act. There is so much talent out there I’m sure we can find that star again.”

TeenStar is a national singing and dancing competition searching for the UK’s best teen and pre-teen singers, songwriters and dancers. Over 8,000 acts audition across the country each year.

The latter stages of the competition will also provide acts with the opportunity to impress many guests from record labels, agencies and the entertainment industry as well as judges from BBC Introducing, national radio and regional press.

The contest is hosted by Future Music, the company behind the discovery of artists such as Jacob Banks, Warner Music’s Birdy and Union J’s Jaymi Hensley.

The regional final will take place at the Forum Theatre, Stockport on 22 April at 7.30pm.