HEXHAM-based charity the Samling is about to put some more of the region’s most talented young singers through their paces.

Earlier this year, 75 singers who live or study in the region auditioned for the 25 places available on the Samling Academy programme.

The successful candidates are now set to receive six days of training covering singing, acting and movement. They will also be introduced to singing in foreign languages.

This is the fifth year of the Samling Academy, which was established in partnership with Newcastle and Durham Universities and Sage Gateshead in order to develop a new generation of classical singers in the North-East.

More than a quarter of its participants have gone on to study music full-time in the UK’s most prestigious music colleges - this year alone, four have taken up places at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Leading the academy this year will be a team of world-class singers, pianists and vocal coaches that includes the Royal Opera House’s Caroline Dowdle, singing teacher Patricia MacMahon and six Samling Artists (graduates of the Samling Academy): Miranda Wright, Lisa Milne, Jonathan Ware, Ian Tindale, Jâms Coleman and Somi Kim.

The charity is also engaging professional movement coach Mandy Demetriou, Italian language specialist Rosalba Lo Duca and a professional actor to provide a special session on stagecraft for the young singers.

Executive director of the Samling, Karon Wright, said: “Our academy continues to go from strength to strength, providing invaluable experience and training for its young singers.

“We want as many young North-East singers to get the opportunity to work with Samling as possible, so if you are interested please come to our academy concert at Sage Gateshead or contact us about our next auditions in the spring.”

The 2016 Samling Academy Concert takes place on the evening of Sunday, October 23.