FROM musical theatre to modern pop, three girls from Billericay have been hitting all the right notes to secure their place in the regional finals of a high profile singing contest.
The trio of Mika Korakianitis, Nicole Clements and Kate Lassman are making names for themselves in Teen Star, a new talent competition which showcases young vocalists.
The three girls all train with Billericay-based Laura Houston, of Fusion Performers.
Mika, 12, of Dunfane, Billericay, said: "I am so happy and quite surprised that I got through.
"I had to sing a cappella, which is scary, but I have done it before so felt I knew what I was doing.
"I'm excited about the next stage and will just go in and try my best."
Mika is the youngest of the three girls who wowed the judges to qualify on February 2.
The Mayflower High School pupil, who will be competing in the pre-teen category of the competition, said: "I have been singing since I was nine and like to cover pop songs and soul rather than musical theatre.
"The next stage of the competition will be on March 17 and this is where we get the chance to qualify to perform in the O2."
Although she is only 12, Mika is not a novice, having performed at the Stanford Music Festival in Stanford-le-Hope.
"I performed to 2,000 people on the top of a bus so I'm not too nervous about the crowd at the next stage," she added.
Nicole, 14, from Crown Road, Billericay said: "It was stressful, like all auditions, but also really fun, especially as this is the first time I have sung at a competition in modern style rather than musical theatre.
"It was a bit new to me as I have done lots of small gigs before but nothing quite like this – it's very exciting.
"I have sung for as long as I can remember and have been training with Laura for six years, she's an amazing teacher.
"I have already chosen a song for the next stage and although it's daunting my excitement has taken over.
"This competition is so good because there are lots of important people involved looking to sign singers."
Kate, 15, of Rose Bay Avenue, also attends Mayflower High School and is looking forward to the regional final, at the Palace Theatre in Southend.
She said: "I'm delighted to be in the regionals as the audition was hard and only two people from each group of six got through.
"The competition is a great opportunity to get spotted, which happened to me last year in a similar competition so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
"I recently played Gabriella in a Towngate Theatre production of High School Musical, which was great.
"I'm studying for a BTEC in Performing Arts and would love to work in musical theatre when I'm older."
