Monmouth student shortlisted by illustrious composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber

A talented musician at Monmouth School for Girls made the shortlist in a competition this week run by the illustrious composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Sixth Form student, Carys Davies, was given a special mention by the judging panel led by Mr Lloyd Webber.

A 20-second clip of the student singing was aired in the 'Think Of Me' Cadenza Challenge video on YouTube.

Carys was among 1,500 people who entered the competition for a chance to perform in the Phantom of the Opera when it returns to the West End stage in London.

Carys, 18, appeared in the broadcast as Mr Lloyd Webber, TV host, Graham Norton, and American theatre actress, Sierra Boggess, discussed the shortlist and highlighted some extraordinary vocal talents.

"I felt so honoured to be part of the video," said Carys, a soprano who won the Blue Riband music prize earlier this year in the school's Eisteddfod for her dazzling rendition of Handel's Un Cenno Leggiadretto.

"It would be wonderful to 'Sing for (Me!) You' around the piano after lockdown."

The lockdown competition was first announced on 17th April when Mr Lloyd Webber invited fans to submit their video renditions of Cadenza 'Think of Me' through his social media channels.

Theatres in the UK are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Carys congratulated fellow contestant, Kit Salter-Kay, who won the competition.

Carys has been a pupil at Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools since nursery.

Last term, the teenager played the role of Henry V in Monmouth School for Girls' interactive and all-female Shakespeare production.

A choral scholar, Carys gained a major part in the Welsh National Opera (WNO) youth opera production of Brundibár last summer at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

She has previously toured the Wales Millennium Centre, Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton, Milton Keynes, Plymouth and Llandudno as one of the gingerbread children in WNO's Hansel and Gretel production.