Leeds schoolgirl hitting high notes with love of opera

Persia Shaficliffe will be the focus of a BAFTA award winning documentary series which is set to be aired on television screens.

The CBBC show My Life: My Voice follows Persia’s solo stint with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra through to a special master class with her heroine Laura Wright.

The 11-year-old said: “Some people think I’m strange and different and weird because I’m an opera singer.

“I’m just a bit different, that’s all.

“You are never too young to follow your dreams,”

But the young starlet is one of her toughest critics and during her tribulations must battle the emotional aspects of her journey - involving a move to London away from her friends.

She said: “I did doubt myself at the beginning but I did gain confidence.”

The documentary leads up to a nerve w­racking finale performing to 16,000 people at the home of the famous Leeds Rhinos at their Headingley stadium.

Persia’s passion for opera developed after a night at the theatre with her mum.

The youngster was just eight-years-old when he was mesmorised by the performance and now dreams of becoming a singing sensation.

The schoolgirl added: “I first fell in love with opera when I went to see La Boheme.

“I was completely, totally mesmerised all the way through. I think this film will definitely make other kids feel more confident to get in to opera.” The show will be screened on CBBC.