AN USK girl is through to the regional finals of national singing competition Open Mic UK which take place tomorrow.

Maya Burchell-Haslett, 17, of Black Barn Close, will be performing in front of judges and an audience in the live stages of the competition at the Coal Exchange, Cardiff.

This is after the musical teenager impressed judges in Cheltenham during the first stages of the competition with her own song “Speechless”.

The Caerleon Comprehensive student, who accompanies herself on acoustic guitar, recorded her first CD of self-penned songs “Maya” at the age of 15, which sold around 70 copies locally.

The busy youngster is also the principal cornet player in Usk Youth Brass Band and plays for the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band.

She has also landed a leading singing role in upcoming production “The Forgotten” which begins at The Riverfront next month.

She said: “I have just always loved music. This is the first time I have entered a competition like this so I am nervous about Sunday but also really excited.”

If successful, Maya will compete in the national finals of the competition at the O2 in London with the chance of winning a breakthrough recording contract and the opportunity to tour across the UK.