A YOUNG Liskeard singer has made it through to the semi-finals of the UK’s Open Mic competition.

Rosie Ugalde, 14, won over the hearts of judges at the regional finals in Birmingham on Sunday. After her rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s Piece by Piece, she was awarded an automatic place in the next round of the competition, bypassing the need to gain votes from the audience.

Now Rosie will appear once more at the Birmingham NEC on November 25  – and if successful, she will gain a place in the Open Mic National Finals.

The Open Mic competition attracts thousands of entries every year from contestants aged 13 and over. With the aim of discovering and nurturing unsigned talent, it provides a great opportunity for aspiring singers to meet music industry professionals.

And while Rosie is new to the contest, the teenager has already gained plenty of experience on the local pub circuit, says her proud mum Karen.

‘The Barley Sheaf and particularly the Albion have been a massive support for Rosie,’ she said.

‘She was full of cold last weekend, but she went straight from a gig on Saturday night up to Birmingham in the car to perform the next day.

‘After she sang, each of the judges came over to speak to her personally,’ Karen continued.

‘And we’ve been getting emails from the Sony Music representative giving her advice this week.’

Rosie is just three weeks in to her Music GCSE at Liskeard School and Community College, and the school has also been very supportive, said Karen.

Rosie ‘sings before she speaks most of the time’ says her mum, and becoming a professional singer has always been her dream.

Commenting on her Facebook page Rosie Ugalde Music, Rosie said: ‘Thank-you to everyone for all the lovely messages.

‘I am so excited and privileged to be through to the area finals, and to be able to share what I love with everyone else.’