A SENSATIONAL singer from Inverclyde has secured a place at a top musical institution.

Aoife Smith, 14, hit the high notes to clinch a spot to study at the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

The young singer has been a member of Inverclyde Schools' Choir since she was eight years old and has previously competed in the Inverclyde Music Festival.

The talented Notre Dame High School pupil was encouraged by her family and teachers to apply for the Junior RCS earlier this year.

Aoife's application included a recorded performance of two songs, which she prepared with the help of her singing teacher Elysia Wilson.

She told the Tele that she wanted to take her passion for music to the next level.

Aoife said: "Singing has always been a great way for me to express myself and my feelings, I just love it.

"Music is something I would love to pursue as a career - singing is something I really enjoy and it would be great to make a living from it.

"I mostly sing classical, but I also love musical theatre and pop.

"I had to submit a recording online as part of the application - it wasn't as bad as an in-person audition but I was definitely still nervous.

"I was so happy when I found out I had got the place.

"This is a big opportunity to meet new people with the same interests as me and learn new things.

"Hopefully this lets me grow my love of singing and progress as a performer."

While many of the choirs and music groups that Aoife participates in were suspended over the last two years due to the pandemic, the young performer continued to attend singing lessons to keep her musical abilities sharp.

Aoife's mum Theresa is proud of the 'enormous' amount of work her daughter has put in to practice her singing.

She added: "We're all very proud of her, she always gives 100 per cent.

"It's so good to see her efforts be rewarded, she put in an enormous amount of work and I know this'll be a great chance for her to get even better.

"Her teachers have done a great job of supporting her along the way, especially Gerard Gordon from Notre Dame and Elysia Wilson.

"I'm just so happy to see her doing well."