VIDEO: Isabella O’Reilly wins this year’s Bury Songwriters Competition

Debenham singer-songwriter Isabella O’Reilly has won this year’s Bury Songwriters Competition.

The talented 18-year-old stole the show at the Hunter Club on May 1, impressing the judges with two soulful self-penned tunes.

Isabella said she comes from a musical family and got into singing at a very young age.

“I have been involved in music my whole life,” she said.

“I have been writing songs since I was 15 but it started getting more serious about 18 months ago.”

Although she is just 18, Isabella has already gained huge experience performing live.

She was part of the National Children’s Choir from the age of 10 and the National Youth Choir since she was 12.

But even with that early experience, Isabella said it was nerve-wracking performing at the final.

“I literally shook from start to finish,” she said. “I have never been so nervous performing.

“Maybe it was because I really wanted to win.”

Isabella looks to take a gap year and work on her music before going to university to study English literature.

“I am realistic about my future,” she said.

“My perspective is that it would be amazing to have a career in music but I know how many other people want the same. “I would still want to work in the music industry though because it is full of people passionate about music. “I am trying to get in there somehow.”

For more on Isabella please visit www.facebook.com/IOR.ARTIST

If you would like your music featured in the Bury Free Press email adam.howlett@buryfreepress.co.uk with details.