A 13-year-old from Portage la Prairie is set to take the stage at the Manitoba Voice Amateur Talent Contest, hoping to make an impression with both her voice and her message.
Ella Rintoul, a Grade 8 student at Westpark School, says she decided to enter the competition after learning about it over the summer.
“The registration was in August. I found out about it and then thought about it for a little while and decided I wanted to do it.”
Sharing faith through song
Ella says her goal in performing is simple — to share her faith through her music.
“I wanted to do it just to spread the word of Jesus through my music. I’m singing ‘Still Rolling Stones’ by Lauren Daigle.”
She says the song choice came naturally.
“I was thinking from the start that I wanted to sing a Christian song.”
Ella first discovered her passion for singing around Grade 5 and says she’s continued ever since because it brings her closer to her faith.
A new experience in front of a crowd
While Ella has performed at school talent shows in the past, she says this is her first major competition, and she’s feeling both nervous and excited.
“I’ve sung at the Westpark Middle Years talent show before, but I’ve never done a big competition like this.”
Ella admits that competing against adults in the contest adds to the nerves, but she’s staying positive.
“I’m a little bit nervous just to be competing against adults, but I still think I have a chance.”
Her mother, who also enjoys singing, says she’s proud of Ella for stepping up to the challenge — even if it’s nerve-wracking from a parent’s perspective.
“As a mom, I feel like I’m more nervous when my child is on stage than when I’m on stage,” she said with a laugh.
Balancing skating, school, and music
Outside of singing, Ella keeps busy with school and figure skating, taking part in events like Skate Virden, provincials, and competitions in Stony Mountain.
She also spends a lot of time at the rink supporting her brothers, who both play hockey.
Despite her busy schedule, Ella says she hopes to keep music at the heart of her future.
“I just want to spread the word of the gospel through music and maybe make that part of a career.”
The contest begins at 7:30 p.m. at the William Glesby Centre.