When Erica Binns started taking voice classes four months ago, she never expected to find herself in the finals of the Bermuda Idol competition ? or winning a role in the chorus in ?Cabaret?.

But that?s where she is, preparing to take the Ruth Seaton James for Performing Arts stage tomorrow night with 17 other contestants vying for the Bermuda Idol title.

At the same time, she is rehearsing for ?Cabaret? since the curtain rises for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society production on October 13 at the City Hall Theatre.

?Goodness gracious, I am so scared,? she said of the Bermuda Idol finals.

?All those people, and it?s going to be on TV I heard. I hope I don?t freeze up and I hope I don?t sound scratchy or off-key.

?There?s nothing worse then being booed. I have been practising although I haven?t really decided what song I am going to sing,? she said when she was interviewed last week.

?But, I need to hurry up ?cause it?s just around the corner!?

When she started taking lessons with Institute for Talented Students voice instructor Burton Mazzone in April, Ms Binns, who is an advertising saleswoman at wasn?t even thinking about Bermuda Idol or singing in a musical.

?I was just taking lessons because I wanted to sing in lounges, bars and play piano as well,? she said. ?I would love to dress up in some cute 60s dresses, sing, play and wear cute hats that look really classic. I?d like to sound like the old school jazz singers, as they had such beautiful, clear voices ? like ? it was unreal.?

But singing has always been a part of Ms Binns? life.

?I grew up in the church and have always sung in one of the choirs,? she said. ?I enjoy music, the art of music and I like to sing or hum a little tune. There was never really a reason to start it?s been in me, and a part of me forever.?

It wasn?t always easy. As a youngster, her mother had to force her to go to Saturday morning choir practices because they clashed with the best cartoons on TV.

As an adult, Ms Binns said she wasn?t convinced she was good enough to sing in public.

?It?s a lot different then singing at home or in the shower because you only hear yourself, but other people hear you for real. My parents always said I could sing and my brothers said I could also, but that?s family and they will tell you that even if it isn?t true.?

Ms Binns learned about the voice classes at the Institute for Talented Students after seeing an advert.

?I thought maybe this would help me, because I was ready to start pursuing music, but I didn?t know if I really had a talent for it or if I would be good enough to sing in front of other people.

?But with it coming from ?Mr. Burton? it sort of boosted my self-confidence as he can sing really, really well and with all of his accomplishments in singing, acting, etc. I felt well, ?if Mr. Burton says I can sing, than maybe I can!?

Of her classes and teacher she said: ?I think Mr. Burton is the greatest!

?I really enjoyed each lesson we had and have learned a lot. We got on very well because he has a great personality and I enjoyed being there.

?He wasn?t boring and dull like some teachers are and he kept the lessons lively. We do a lot of range exercises that help to stretch your voice. With Mr. Burton we would do a warm-up before we actually started any songs.?

She auditioned for ?Cabaret? in at the beginning of July and was incredibly nervous, but it all went well.

?Mr. Burton and I had practised a song from a musical, I think it was ?Oklahoma?, and he said it sounded great and he said, ?You should try out.?

?I had never tried out for anything in my life and I said, ?OK, I?ll try?. When I went to the audition I was crazy nervous and shaking and sweating and stuff, but I just sang it anyway.

?Then afterwards the judges for the audition said I sounded great and I think they were surprised because I don?t look like I could sing like that. One of the ladies said I brought tears to her eyes. I am assuming that was a compliment!?

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