A TEENAGER who caught the attention of a record producer on a television talent show is about to release her debut album. Paige McCormick, 19, of Fencepiece Road, Barkingside, has spent two years working on the album with international record producer Ch

A TEENAGER who caught the attention of a record producer on a television talent show is about to release her debut album.

Paige McCormick, 19, of Fencepiece Road, Barkingside, has spent two years working on the album with international record producer Charles Bailey.

She said: "I went along with my mum to watch Let Me Entertain You and discovered she had entered me as a surprise performer.

"I had no idea that she had done that and the producers just came up to me and put me on the show, and it went really well."

It went so well that Paige reached the final of the BBC television show and finished in second place.

That was two years ago, when she was studying A-levels in performing arts, English and music at Hainault Forest High School, Harbourer Road, Hainault.

Since then Paige, who is a classical singer, has been learning Italian and songs from operas including Turandot and Carmen, which are featured on her album.

"One song I fell in love with is Time to Say Goodbye and I decided that I had to sing it and add it to the record. It's one of my favourite songs."

Paige started singing when she was about four but didn't have singing lessons until she was nine. She also learned to play the piano.

She added: "I am hoping that people of all ages and people who like all genres of music will like the album.

"I think that opera and classical music is becoming a part of all styles of music and that's why more and more people are recognising it."

Citing Maria Callas as a big inspiration, Paige hopes her album will be successful and that she can continue singing and releasing albums over the next few years.

Her debut, Paige, is released on Tuesday on iTunes. To see a video of her performing Tu Che di Gel Chinta from the opera Turandot, see www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/Paige_McCormick/