FOUR local young classical singers are due to perform at Sage Gateshead this weekend following six days of intensive training at the Samling Academy.

Anna Dias, Ananya Padmanabhan and Laura Toomey from Stockton, along with Benjamin Ryan from Darlington, each won a place at the academy to receive coaching in vocal technique, acting and stagecraft, choreography and language ahead of Sunday's performance with other members of the academy.

Soprano Anna Dias, who is studying music in her first year at Newcastle University, and mezzo-soprano Laura Toomey who is in year 11 at Red House Independent School, have both participated in Samling Academy before and have performed in venues including Sage Gateshead, Saltburn Arts Theatre and The Witham in Barnard Castle.

Baritone Benjamin Ryan and soprano Ananya Padmanabhan are both new to Samling this year.

"It is wonderful to see how positively Ben and Ananya respond to the artistic and musical direction they receive," said Samling’s founding artistic and executive director Karon Wright.

"We are delighted to welcome back Anna and Laura. All four singers are making fantastic progress and are each contributing greatly to this year’s Academy."

Now in its seventh year, Samling Academy, based in Hexham, was established in 2012 in a partnership with Newcastle and Durham Universities and Sage Gateshead, to develop new classical singers in the North-East through its training and performance scheme.

Young singers are coached by a team of world famous singers, pianists, actors, choreographers and teachers. Many go on to study music full-time in the UK’s leading music colleges.

"This year alone, ten of our Samling Artists are returning to us along with the academy’s leadership team to teach the next generation here in the North-East," said Ms Wright.

The concert will include solo performances as well as ensembles by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Quilter and Copland. It starts at 7.30pm at Sage Gateshead’s Sage Two. Tickets cost £14 and are available from the ticket office on 0191 443 4661 or online.