Taunton student named Young Music Theatre Singer of the Year

A student at Taunton School has been awarded the Taunton Young Music Theatre Singer of the Year Award.

Eliza Hopwood, a student in Year 12, is currently celebrating the latest success in what has been an exceptional year for her. As well as being named the Taunton Young Music Theatre Singer of the Year by the Taunton Festival of the Arts, Eliza has also been chosen as the overall winner of the festival's Pop Vocals category.

Hot off the back of her starring role in Taunton School’s production of The Addams Family at The Brewhouse Theatre which played to more than 1,300 people, Eliza was chosen as the joint winner of this year’s Taunton School Concerto Competition and performed the Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto with a professional orchestra in the School’s Spring Concert in March.

Director of Music at Taunton School, Toby Carden, said: “Eliza’s success this year has been fantastic to see. From her exceptional performance as Morticia in The Addams Family, to achieving further success as the Taunton Young Music Theatre Singer of the Year, she makes a great impression on anyone who sees her perform and is worthy of all the praise she receives. She is a remarkable performer and an incredibly dedicated musician; the future is extremely bright for her.”

Holding Grade 8 Distinction in both Trumpet and Singing, Eliza is hoping to study performing arts at degree level. At Taunton School, she sings with the Chapel Choir and Advanced Vocal Ensemble, and she plays trumpet in the Orchestra, Wind Band, Dance Band and Brass Ensemble.

Taunton School enjoys a reputation for excellence in music with many students performing with national and county choirs, orchestras and bands. The school regularly offers scholarships and assisted places to students with a particular talent and interest in music at Year 7, Year 9, and Year 12 (Sixth Form). Find out more by visiting https://www.tauntonschool.co.uk/scholarships/.