A PENARTH performer will be heading Down Under after winning a prestigious music competition.

Jodi Bird, 21, has been named Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s International Voice of Musical Theatre for 2019.

The former Ysgol Bro Morgannwg pupil performed on the stage of the Royal International Pavilion in the competition’s final on Thursday, July 4.

Miss Bird wowed audiences and judges with her performances of Woman, originally sung by Stephanie J Block, Tell me on a Sunday by Marti Webb and 14g, a stand alone written by Janine Tesori but made famous by Kristin Chenoweth.

As winner of the coveted title, Miss Bird has earned an international Medal, £1,500 prize money and the opportunity to perform at the Musicale Concert Gold Coast Eisteddfod in Australia in October.

Miss Bird said: “There are no words to describe how excited I am to go to Australia!

“It’s a trip of a lifetime and has always been a dream of mine.

“I’ve just had the itinerary through and it all sounds so exciting!

“I also get a little time to myself to explore which I can’t wait for – I can only dream of getting to cwtch a koala!”

As well as a win at the Eisteddfod, Miss Bird has performed in the Millennium Centre and was a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent. There is no sign of slowing down after her sojourn.

“I’m just about to go into my third year in one of the most prestigious drama schools in the country – The Urdang Academy,” she said. “They’ve just released our third year shows which we will have to audition for, then comes showcase and then hopefully stepping straight onto the stage!

“I’ve just released my first EP as well, Greener on the Other Side, which is on iTunes and Spotify. I’m overwhelmed with the response to it so far!

“I’m also in the process of writing a musical with a colleague and I’ve just written and produced an original song for a Canadian film company who also want me to feature in the production.”

Despite being up against performers with more experience than her at the Llangollen Eisteddfod, Miss Bird did not lose her cool.

She said: “I strongly believe you give your all wherever you are, whoever’s watching and whoever you’re up against.

“I also think that nerves are good and make you work harder and stay on the ball – those little butterflies, you can make work for you not against you.”

And she has some advice for any budding musicians hoping to follow in her footsteps.

“Practise, practise, practise! Practice is the hard work that allows you to enjoy performing.

“Pick songs that you love, that make you and the audience feel something.”