The 20-year-old Swansea songstress is through to the finals of Wales’ biggest talent contest, is waiting for an audition for X-Factor – and has just been promoted.
Laura has been promoted to team leader at the Animal fashion store in the Quadrant shopping centre in Swansea.
But when she finishes work at the store, Laura is either teaching music or performing herself.
“I came second in the Porthcawl finals of Welsh Factor and as a runner-up I will be eligible for the big national final at the end of the year when the first prize is £1,000.
“I won £200 for coming second and as best vocal act I also got a £50 voucher. It’s a great opportunity to show your potential and increase your chances of getting gigs, which is what I am interested in,” said Laura who lives in Sketty.
“I want to get well known in the Swansea area so I’ve been performing at weddings and parties and I have my first gig soon in a local club. I mainly perform ballads, like Eva Cassidy stuff, but I also do some upbeat songs.
“I’ve been singing since I was 12,” she said. In fact, Laura has received private tuition for both singing and piano and is qualified to Grade 5 on piano and Grade 6 at singing and hopes soon to qualify for her Grades 7 and 8 at singing.
Already she has her own pupils for both piano and singing lessons.
“I’m serious about wanting to do more gigging but I also enjoy teaching because I like working with people.”
Ian Kirkpatrick, Manager of the Quadrant Shopping Centre, said: “We’re delighted that Laura is doing so well and we wish her all the best in the competition.
“I am always amazed at just how much talent we have here in the Quadrant Centre but Swansea has a fantastic musical heritage and it would be great if we unearthed the latest local superstar here.”
Welsh Factor is billed as the biggest talent competition in the Principality and the company running the competition has joined forces with Wales’ major record company Music Wales and the final at the end of the year will give the winner an opportunity to record CDs which will be distributed to major national stores.
She will be performing at the heat at the Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli, on Wednesday, March 21, but Laura also has her sights set on the hugely successful TV talent show, the X-Factor.
She said: “I have applied to X-Factor and am just waiting to hear when the auditions will take place,” said Laura, who will be 21 in April.
Animal Store Manager Kathryn Pugh said: “Laura is really talented and we’re all really excited about how well she is doing with her music.
“I’m sure we will be out to support here when she starts performing locally and it would be great to see her on X Factor – it would be great to see another Swansea girl topping the charts.”
