A peninsula pupil narrowly missed out on reaching the final of the BBC and Songs of Praise competition 'BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2020', despite a stunning performance of Ava Maria.

Alexandra, a year 10 student at Ipswich High School, In Woolverstone, impressed the three judges with her vibrato voice at Gorton Monastery in Manchester, which was aired this afternoon. (Sunday, November 22).

Suffolk's very own opera singer Laura Wright, John Rutter, and Carl Jackson were full of praise for Alexandra who sings in three choirs.

Laura said: "That vibrato is stunning and your voice is so big. I can't wait to see what you are going to do in years to come become because that voice is so special. That was stunning - well done."

I was greatly impressed with the voice and greatly impressed with the technique. It was just likeJesse Norman, it really was a wonderful warm, radiant sound.

My goodness, you have a V6 engine of a voice there," said judge Ritter. "The vibrato voice is a beast you have to tame but my goodness me, you have this incredible vehicle in the garage just waiting to get out."

Although a keen and talented athlete, Alexandra loves her music and said after the audition: "This whole experience has meant the world to me, it is so big. I have never done anything like it before and I'm so grateful to be one of the chosen people to be considered for this."

Alexandra was mentored by the famous Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins, who gave her tips on how to perform Ava Maria.

"Katherine gave me some really, really good tips," Alexandra revealed. "To put my focus somewhere was really good feedback."

The school said on its website: "Alexandra was one of only five girls to have made it through to the semi-finals. Initially hundreds of girls and boys, representing some of the most prestigious Cathedrals, Churches and Schools from across the UK and NI, entered the competition, so to make it to the semi-finals is an incredible achievement."