A STUDENT has beaten hundreds of other performers for the chance to sing on stage in front of 1,000 music lovers this weekend.

Katie Silvester, from Southrop, is in the semi-finals of Star of Stage 2014, a national competition described as “X Factor for musical theatre performers.”

A musical theatre student at the Judith Hockaday School in Swindon, Katie hopes to secure a place in the January final, to be judged by TV’s “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” winner Connie Fisher, whose grandparents lived in Tetbury.

The competition winner will receive £3,000, and perform at Wales Millennium Centre as part of the Cardiff Music Fest.

“I’ve loved musical theatre my whole life,” said Katie. “Ever since I was little I’ve always done dancing, ballet and singing classes.”

The 22-year-old suffers anxiety and admits she is prone to panic attacks but refuses to let this hold her back.

She received positive comments from her auditions and said she hoped to build on their feedback.

“They said I had good energy which is what they wanted for the show,” she said. “They laughed a lot throughout which was good as it was a comedy performance.”

In between studying, rehearsing, and working, Katie also teaches singing to children and sometimes adults.

“I teach as a musical theatre singer as it’s what I love,” she said.

Anyone interested in Katie’s classes can email katiejosilvester@gmail.com.

The audience vote at the Star of Stage 2014 semi-final will determine whether Katie makes it through to the final and she said she was hoping as many supporters as possible would be there.

It takes place on December 8 at Cardiff Masonic Hall. Tickets at starofstage.co.uk