Sanaz Lavasani may only be 16 but she is celebrating after getting a step closer to her dream of a singing career.
Sanaz, from Kirklevington, near Yarm, recently won a place at the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School in Manchester.
The student at Conyers School and Stagecoach Theatre Arts in Yarm, has been taking private singing lessons from tutor Beryl Brown.
"The course takes all kinds of musicians but the competition for singing is very high because it is a popular choice," said Sanaz.
"I was thrilled when they told me there and then that I had a place because they do not usually do that."
Belonging to the college means travelling to Manchester on Saturdays and taking lessons at the college all day.
It should make it easier for her to secure a place at the college on a full-time basis if she applies when she is 18.
Sanaz said: "I don't know what kind of music I would like top pursue as a career. I like pop, opera and musical theatre. It will be just wonderful to be trained in such a famous musical college."
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