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Local teenager Jade Donno has been given the big thumbs up by judges at the Open Mic UK auditions.

Fifteen-year-old year Jade, from Sturmer, has made it through to the regional finals and will now be performing at the live stages of Open Mic UK 2010.

Jade, who is a year 11 pupil at Gosfield School, said: “My mum says I was singing before I could even talk. I have attended part time stage school since the age of four and have performed in many shows as well as being a member of several bands.

"I am passionate about pursuing music as a career and see the Open Mic competition as a fantastic opportunity to help me realise my ambitions.”

Open Mic UK 2010 is the exciting national talent competition which searches for the UK’s best singers, singer/songwriters, rappers and vocalists of all genres who perform either covers or original material.

Thousands of hopefuls entered the nationwide Open Mic competition and hundreds of auditionees queued patiently on the day for their turn to impress the judges at the Regent in Ipswich.

Jade was competing in the under 18 category and wowed the panel with her rendition of The Only Exception by Paramour.

Jade is one of 21 young hopefuls who now have the opportunity to prove that they are the best on the Mic in the region.

Those who made it through the audition stage will now take part in a live regional heat at Ipswich Corn Exchange on October 23 to battle alongside the best talent in their area.

They’ll be performing in front of hundreds of audience members and a professional judging panel to win a place at the National Grand Final at the O2 in London and the chance to win a breakthrough recording contract.

Chris Grayston head of A&R at Future Music said: “We are searching for an act that not only has the live ability to impress an audience, industry judges and A&R associates, but an act that has the potential to become a professional recording artist.

"The standard was high last year and this year looks set to be even better.”

There’s over £50,000 in prizes up for grabs this year and the overall winner of Open Mic UK 2010 will be offered a recording contract, with up to £30,000 investment! They’ll also have the opportunity to tour across the UK.

There are plenty of development opportunities available to acts taking part courtesy of ICMP, who will be offering song-writing courses and master classes throughout the competition.

The latter stages of the competition will also provide acts with the opportunity to impress many guests from record labels, agencies and the entertainment industry as well as judges from national radio, BBC Introducing and regional press.

The winners will not only get to perform on stage at the 02, but they will be thrust into the media spotlight through television, radio and print media and all winners will be invited on the Open Mic UK Tour, which boasts 100 gigs across the country.

As part of the Open Mic UK competition Jade has to demonstrate that she can publicise herself and build a fan base.

Jade has created a Facebook page which visitors can 'Like' and already has over 130 fans but is aiming to reach 1,000 fans before the regional final.

If you would like to support Jade at the regional live final tickets cost £7.50 and can be purchased from Jade via her Facebook page or call Paul Donno at Paul Donno & Co Ltd on 01440 707184. You can also 'Like' Jade on her Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jade-Donno/143632755679230?ref=ts