CLASSICAL singer Ciara Harvie was invited to take part in an exclusive private concert showcasing the best UK talent, alongside Paloma Faith and Stormzy.
Ciara, 19, from Longniddry, travelled to London with mum Val to take part in the YouTube UK On Stage concert at iconic music venue The Roundhouse last week.
She was approached by YouTube to join the line-up, which also included Suli Breaks, Lady Leshurr and a performance from the Royal Opera House.
Mum Val said Ciara, who is currently in New York, went down a storm in front of 450 invited guests from the music industry, the House of Commons and digital media.
She said: “It was an absolutely amazing evening and Ciara was, as always, a huge success.
“She was surprised by the number of young performers who approached her and said she had opened them up to opera and classical music.
“It was very touching for her, as Ciara considers herself a classical crossover artist and wants to make more people aware that opera can be easy listening.”
Ciara first hit the headlines when she appeared on television talent show The Voice at the start of this year.
Despite her extraordinary rendition of Nessum Dorma, she was rejected by the judges during the blind audition but they immediately regretted their decision.
Show judge Gavin Rossdale came close to hitting his button and admitted afterwards he had “dithered”, saying: “I should have turned.”
After Rossdale asked for Ciara to be brought out, he was apologetic about not picking her, telling the teenager: “I should have turned around; I was dithering and I missed it. You are the only person we didn’t pick that we have brought out to meet.”
Rossdale, who was the frontman of Bush in the ‘90s, joined the show this year but will be replaced when it returns to screen at the start of 2018 by former X-Factor contestant and presenter Olly Murs.
Ciara has gone from strength to strength since appearing on the show.
Mum Val said: “Ciara has continued to perform at events and is singing full-time and earning a living. She has just been invited to perform at a weeding in Tuscany in the spring.”
To follow Ciara, find her on Facebook under Ciara Harvie - Music.
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