SUFFOLK teenager Alice Reidy is bursting with enthusiasm and song as she looks ahead to an opportunity that will see her singing all over the world.Alice, from Swilland, near Witnesham, is a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and come July will be jetting off to sing to audiences around the world.

SUFFOLK teenager Alice Reidy is bursting with enthusiasm and song as she looks ahead to an opportunity that will see her singing all over the world.

Alice, from Swilland, near Witnesham, is a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and come July will be jetting off to sing to audiences around the world.

The trip, which will last about a month and a half will take her places she has only ever before dreamed of visiting.

It is an opportunity that has seen her defer her place at Nottingham University but one which she could not miss.

"I definitely cannot wait," 19-year-old Alice enthused. "It's all I talk about.

"We're going to be spending the first week rehearsing on a beach and then we're visiting places such as Venezuela, Mexico, California and New Zealand."

She continued: "I have been singing since I was about 13 and come from a very musical family. My sister went to music school in Manchester and is now studying music in Cambridge.

"I will be going to Nottingham to study music as well but have taken a year out to save money for the tour. The year out was unexpected but the tour will cost a few thousand pounds so I'm working at AXA Insurance."

Alice toured Europe when she was a member of the Suffolk Jubilee Choir but this will be her first tour with the National Youth Choir. The world tour is one that takes place only every four years and she has only been with the choir for a year and a half.

"The National Youth Choir is made up of people from all round the country who are aged 16 to about 23. Every four years they go on a world tour which lasts about a month and a half," she explained.

"I was in the training choir for a little and have been in the main choir now for about a year and a half. My singing teacher at Woodbridge School used to be involved with the choir and encouraged me to audition."

"The choir meet two or three times a year when we have really intensive courses," she added. "For about ten days we'll work from 9am to 9pm.

"It's really hard work but the best thing is that you're with people who enjoy the same things. You have so much in common with people and you get to sing with people you wouldn't normally sing with. The standard is so high.

"And the passion, atmosphere and friendship are amazing."

Weblink: www.nycgb.net