A Haddington musician is hoping to kickstart her music career when she takes part in the final of a national music competition next month.

Carli Trotter, 23, lives with her mum and dad in Haddington and has made it to the final of the inaugural The Next Big Thing singing competition at the Bungalow in Paisley on April 9.

The competition is described as "Scotland's newest talent competition for singers of all ages" and offers an artist development package to the overall winner.

This package includes recording studio time and a professional photoshoot to help start an artists recording career.

Carli, a Knox Academy graduate, entered the competition earlier this year by submitting a video of herself singing.

She was then invited to a live heat round at music pub Sweeney's at The Park in Glasgow on March 9 where she performed in front of a live audience and judges from the competition.

Following the round Carli was one of seven contestants picked in the adult (over 17) category to progress to the final.

Carli, who graduated from the Academy of Music and Sound, in July, now works in Costa in Tesco Haddington.

She said that winning the competition could kickstart her music career.

Carli told the Courier: “To win the competition would be incredible and really boost my confidence.

"Working n Costa is good but I don't want to be there my whole career.

“I graduated from uni last year, but I was studying during Covid so I feel like my confidence never quite reached how I had hoped it would.

“To win the competition and get some studio recording time would let me start to piece together an album.

“I had to create an album for my final year of uni so it would be great to record that and start releasing more stuff.

“I want to be a full time musician, I’d love to be a singer and songwriter making a career out of writing my own music.”

Carli will compete against six other contestants in the adults category next month. There are a further two categories, children (under 13) and teen (13-16 years old). An individual winner will be chosen from each category and an overall winner will be chosen afterwards.

The overall winner will be awarded the artist development package.

Carli said: “I feel good going into the final. I know there will be some other amazing singers taking part so it will be tough.

“I need to perform two songs so I think I’ll choose a cover song to sing and then sing an original too.

“It should be a great night and I’m hopeful I will be able to win.”