DULVERTON teenager Johanna Harrison is singing from the rooftops after winning a coveted place in the finals of a prestigious choral contest. Johanna, a former pupil of the town's middle school, will be one of eight finalists bidding for the title of BBC Chorister of the Year, which is awarded annually to a boy and girl aged between 11 and 17. Although she took up a music scholarship at Wells Cathedral School just a few weeks ago, Johanna's entry into the contest was through her membership of Dulverton's All Saints Church choir. A CD featuring the talented youngster's interpretation of the little known hymn I Lift My Eyes to the Quiet Hills and the spiritual By and By was enough to get her through two stages of judges to the live finals in Westminster Abbey on Sunday (October 8). She will be among four boys and four girls hoping to win and if successful will receive a trophy, a cash prize for herself and her choir and the opportunity to appear on national radio and television throughout the year. Johanna's mother Frances, who teaches at Richard Huish College in Taunton, said the whole family, including the teenager's six grown up brothers and sisters was delighted with her achievement. "We are all really thrilled. It's amazing just to be a finalist, a huge achievement and it will be a wonderful honour for her to sing in Westminster Abbey," said Mrs Harrison. "It will be such a terrific occasion." Johanna's talent has been obvious to her family since she was three and with her father Howard teaching music at the University of Plymouth, singing has been a constant and much loved feature of family life. The teenager is a member of the Somerset Youth Choir and plays percussion in Dulverton's SuperNova Samba Band, which is led by her father. And she also finds time to play the piano. Although she has performed live on many occasions locally, this will be her first time in front of such a huge audience. But Mrs Harrison said nerves rarely took over when Johanna was singing. "When she heard she had got through to the finals she just screamed with excitement. "She says she just wants to enjoy the occasion and I think that is what she will do." Johanna's voice tutor Rachel Bennett, who is choir director at All Saints, described the youngster's talent as exceptional. "She is blessed with the combination of an outstanding voice, innate musicality and a musical maturity advanced well beyond her years." There will be plenty of support for Johanna as a coachload of friends and family from Dulverton will be travelling to London for the finals. The contest will be broadcast on Radio 2 on November 5. Photo: Steve Guscott.