Teen in running for top pop act at Forest City London Music Awards
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A year ago Bella Rosa was happy just to compete in the High School Battle of the Bands.
She didn’t win, but the 15-year-old London singer is back in competition at the Forest City London Music Awards, this time in the pop category with the pros.
She is one of dozens of area musicians nominated for the awards, and organizers are urging the public to cast their online votes to determine the winners, who will be celebrated during London Music Week June 19-26.
The public can vote online at fclma.ca for nominees in 24 categories. Voting ends May 6.
“It’s crazy because I wasn’t expecting it,” said the Grade 10 student at St. Josephine Bakhita Catholic secondary school, an online school with the London District Catholic school board.
“It just never crossed my mid. It’s amazing.”
Bella Rosa is nominated along with Drives the Common Man, Lost in Japan, Chad Price, Paris Monroe, Sarina Haggarty and New Friends.
“Quite possibly, she’s the youngest nominee we’ve ever had,” awards founder and chair Mario Circelli said.
“I think the nominating teams did an exceptional job putting together the lists of nominees and now it’s in the public’s hands. It’s one of the most diverse group of nominees we’ve ever had. We’ve got a lot of new names and new faces nominated. It really shows how much and how hard these artists have been working, recording and putting out new music throughout and despite the pandemic.”
The jazz, world and classical music awards will be announced at a gala on June 19 at Aeolian Hall and all other categories will be announced June 26 at London Music Hall.
London Music Week will include showcases and events, including the high school battle of the bands on June 24 at London Music Hall and a day of workshops, seminars and speakers at the SoundCheck for Success professional development day on June 25.
The awards committee is expected to announce the inductees to the Forest City Music Hall of Fame and those receiving lifetime achievement awards in the coming weeks.
Circelli urged the public to vote for their favorite artists.
“We need to support our music artists at the local level, who will become the provincial, national and international stars of the future,” he said.
“If we’re not supporting and encouraging our artists now, there really is no future. All great artists get their start at the local level.”
Twitter.com/JoeBatLFPress
Nominees in the four most popular categories of the Forest City London Music Awards:
Pop
Drives the Common Man
Lost in Japan
Bella Rosa
Chad Price
Paris Monroe
Sarina Haggarty
New Friends
Country
Aaron Allen
Adam Cousins
Patrick James Clark
Lindsey and the Lonelies
The Rizdales
Genevieve Fisher
The Scott Howarth Band
Rock
Brother Leeds
Texas King
Basic White
Lost in Japan
Status Non Status
Gold tongue
Farewell Stanleys
Fan Favourite
Michael Trudgen
Tom Dunphy Country Classics Music Show
Tha Koala
Mad Moxxis
The Mongrels
Kate Channer
Nameless Friends
The Incredible Melting Man
Empress Asha
Asante
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