Young Cloverdale area singer Madison Bell, 12, has qualified in the top 25 for the prestigious Valley Voices Vocal Competition 2014.
But to move forward to the next level she needs public votes over the next few days (May 30 - June 2) in the online performance video segment of the contest.
At stake is a possible artist development deal, a professionally produced single, a photo-shoot, website and graphic design and a vocal coaching session with Dave Stroud (who has worked with One Direction, Justin Bieber and American Idol).
Those who haven't heard the diminuitive A. J. McLellan Grade 6 student's powerful singing and seen her confident stage presence can get some idea from a video of her cover of Adele's One and Only at the Surrey Teenfest (www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfMSU40IyKU).
Her mother Michelle said the precocious performer was already singing opera to her teacher and classmates in kindergarten and did her first live singing performance at age five in front of 500 children and parents at the school's talent show.
Bell – who also plays guitar and writes music, and loves crafting and Taekwondo – has been receiving professional vocal coaching since she was nine.
"She has spent the last three years working really hard at her artistry and has a soul that is well beyond her years when it comes to singing," Michelle said.
Serious performing began two years ago and has included singing on the main stage at last year's Surrey Canada Day celebration, opening for Victoria Duffield (herself a former Valley Voices competitor) at Chilliwack's Party in the Park, and singing at the Cloverdale Wired Monk with local guitarist Bryden Veinot.
To participate in voting for the performance video segment of Valley Voices, visit Bell's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/madybmusic) where a link will posted during the voting period.