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Child star ‘youngest ever to pass music exam’
A budding child star is thought to be the youngest person ever to pass a music exam – aged just FOUR.
Tammy Kenyon, from Heaton Mersey, Stockport, gained a merit in her Grade Two music theatre qualification at a top college.
And she looks set for more success – after being described as a natural singer with an innate talent for rhythm and music.
Her mum Rebecca Chambers, 39, a music examiner who teaches singing all over the world, said her daughter has shown musical ability since the age of two and is head-and-shoulders above much older children.
She said: “I’m a musician so I think that’s why Tammy has become so good so quickly. She lives with music every day.
“You don’t realise how much children absorb – yes she’s had an advantage because of my background, but still, for a four-year-old, it’s incredible. She’s been singing her head off from the age of two.
“Her repertoire is just staggering – she knows everything. Her musical memory is incredible. From Elvis to classical music, she knows it all.”
Tammy’s exam, part of a qualification from the London College of Music at the University of West London, saw her perform two pieces and act out the stories behind the lyrics.
She treated examiners to renditions of A Whole New World, from Disney classic Aladdin, and Tomorrow, from the musical Annie.
Tammy, a pupil at Didsbury Road Primary School, was then questioned about the characters and the emotions evoked by each piece of music – and was awarded 76 per cent.
Rebecca said: “When I’m teaching and one of my pupils stops singing, you can hear Tammy in the background carrying on the song. I can see so much development in her. Her pitch is perfect and her rhythm is just so natural. The nice thing about the exam is that she didn’t realise it was an exam, I just told her to go and sing to the nice lady – and she did.
“I’m very proud of her and excited about her capability and potential, but I’m not a pushy parent. She’s still just a child, I don’t want to take the enjoyment out of it.
“If she wants to continue it when she’s older, she can do it on her own terms.”
A spokesman for the London College of Music said: “The Grade Two music theatre exam combines singing and dramatic skills in integrated performances, and is a remarkable achievement for a girl of such a young age.
“We would like to congratulate Tammy on her success, and wish her enjoyment and success in her music theatre studies.”
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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