Young Corofin singer gets a taste of celebrity life

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN A YOUNG Corofin student has been given a tiny taste of what it's like to live the life of a music star, and many ­people feel she has the talent to make it a long-term reality. Donna Higgins, a first-year student at the Mercy Secondary School in Tuam, is 13 years old and has just recorded her first CD. The impressive singer wowed audiences at the popular West's Got Talent competition held in Tuam over the past few months and narrowly missed out in a tie-breaking sing-off on taking the top prize. However, one of the event's organisers, Martin Geoghegan was so impressed by Donna's powerful voice that he offered to sponsor some studio time for her to record tracks for a CD. Donna, who loses her initial shyness once she gets behind the microphone, was delighted at the opportunity, as were her parents James and Mary. Her dad is familiar with the music business locally and has played guitar and sang in the band the Double Deckers for more than 30 years. Donna may also have her cousin, showband hero Jimmy Higgins, to thank for her musical talents. Martin believes Donna has the ability to make singing a career. 'If she sticks at it, I've no doubt that she will go all the way,' he told The Herald. The six-track CD was recorded in Kenny Ralph's Sun Street Studios in Tuam last week and Kenny himself was hugely impressed by what he heard. 'I couldn't believe such a big voice was coming from such a young person,' he remarked. 'She sounds great,' said an enthusiastic Kenny. Getting their first glimpse of a behind-the-scenes recording of a CD, proud parents James and Mary were clearly delighted with their daughter's success. All of her family have been very supportive but Donna was finally persuaded to enter the talent competition by her older brother. 'We knew she had a good voice but we didn't expect something like this to happen,' said James, who says he seemed more nervous during the competition than Donna herself. A former pupil of Ballindereen National School, Donna also likes to play music and plays the bodhrán, accordion and flute. One of her favourite singers is Adele but she sang a variety of songs throughout the competition, including the theme song from Titanic, the Celine Dion hit My Heart Will Go On. Donna might be small in stature but she has real power in her voice, which has a wonderful clarity to it. While she may have to get used to speaking to the media, she had no problem standing on stage and performing to nearly 600 people on the night of the talent final. The Tuam student didn't show any signs of nerves during the recording session either and was clear about what songs she wanted to sing. All of the proceeds of the CD will go to Tuam Cancer Care and the palliative care unit at ÃÂras Mhuire. Martin Geoghegan was hugely impressed by the care given at the unit when he visited a close friend there a few years ago and he is keen to help fundraise for it each year. 'It's a very worthy cause and something that affects every family. All of the proceeds from the CD will go directly to the charity and unit,' he explained. Donna will perform at the launch night of the CD on the same night that her dad's band will also be playing in the hotel. 'I've played backing for her before, but her taste in songs isn't really what we do, so she'll be doing her own thing,' he says with a smile. Donna Higgins' CD will be launched in the Corralea Court on May 26.