A star of the future praised for her “exceptional talent” has sung her way to a place at a top American music school.

Tottenham’s Kacey Chambers, 19, is getting ready to start a four-year course at Berklee Music College in Boston, which boasts 200 Grammy award winners among its alumni.

At just seven years old, she began singing gospel music in church which she believes gave her the confidence to progress in her career.

The City and Islington College (Candi) music student said: “I want to hit the ground running in Boston, which is a really exciting city for music.

"Within two years of being there I want to have built a repertoire of songs, I want to be writing my own songs, gigging, and pushing myself each day in Boston.”

One of her tutors who spotted her talent and encouraged her to audition in central London for a coveted place Berklee.

She dared to try, and impressed with her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s Say a Little Prayer.

Robert Kennedy, music teacher at Candi, said: “The aim on our courses is to make our students what we call a 360-degree musician. With the competition out there you have to be more than just a singer with talent.

“Kacey has the hunger and exceptional talent to be that 360-degree musician. She is a role model to other students, and we expect big things from her in the future and wish her all the best.

"We hope she will be the first of many Candi students to make it to Berklee.”