Caroline Springs’ Ashleigh Marshall will perform in the United States in November. 87737 Picture: MATHEW LYNN
By LAURA WAKELY
MUSIC runs through the veins of Caroline Springs’ Ashleigh Marshall.
As the daughter of two musicians who brought her up singing, it’s no wonder this 12-year-old already has a voice that trills, soars and hits notes with the precision of a professional twice her age.
She belts out a terrific version of Alicia Keys If I Ain’t Got You and looks to Tina Arena for inspiration.
Like any other teen, her favourite group is One Direction, but unlike most teens Ashleigh has a good idea of what the group would have had to go through in their formation on reality TV.
Ashleigh had her own taste of fame with Ten’s revival of Young Talent Time earlier this year.
“It was out of this world,” Ashleigh said of the show.
“It was a great experience performing in front of so many people.
“It was nerve-wracking but I got through it. I just enjoy it, while you can.”
But her latest venture is taking her music all the way across the Pacific to the United States.
The Catholic Regional College student has won a place in the Australian Institute for Performing Arts Glee Club, which will see her perform in Los Angeles, Anaheim Disneyland and New York.
In the US, Ashleigh will take part in master classes with industry heavyweights while performing a choreographed 25 minute performance with her fellow ‘club’ members.
“It’s a bit weird, it’s a bit of a shock, but it’s definitely going to be an amazing experience,” she said.
“I’m really looking forward to going to America. I’ve never been there before and it’s a big thing, but mostly the performing is what I’m excited about.
“We’re also going to Disneyland… I’ve always wanted to go, and performing there is a big experience.”
Success seems to have come early for the Year 7 student, but she doesn’t expect fame and fortune to come overnight.
“You’ve just got to keep trying,” Ashleigh said.
“You never give up because something like this will happen.”
