AN East Lancashire teenage opera sensation has proved she is the real deal after winning a prestigious award.

Versatile songstress Grace O’Malley has been awarded the Helen Catto Prize from the Junior Northern College of Music.

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The 17-year-old said: “I have been going to the Junior Royal Northern College of Music for eight years next year and to be given this award is a great honour. I think I will treasure it all my life.”

The award is sponsored by Soroptomist International of Manchester and presented to the young singer who has made the most progress.

Grace, who lives in Rawtenstall, is currently at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, where she is studying for A-Levels in music, drama, English literature and history.

This autumn she will be auditioning for music conservatoires, including the Royal College of Music, to become a professional opera singer. For the auditions she needs to learn three songs in different languages and is opting for pieces in English, Italian and German.

Grace said: “I love doing all kinds of different music but the conservatoire will concentrate mainly on opera. I hope to become a professional opera singer and I never want to stop raising money for charity as well.”

Despite her busy schedule she has raised more than £100,0000 for local causes. Her latest fundraiser is on August 28 where she will be performing at Habergham Church in Burnley in aid of the church and other charities.

Soroptomist President Sue Underwood said: “We are delighted with any young woman who makes music her career. We haven’t heard Grace sing yet and hopefully we will be able to persuade her to sing at one of our events.”

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