A year 12 student has won the Taunton Young Music Theatre Singer of the Year Award after playing a starring role in her school's production of The Addams Family.

Eliza Hopwood, a student at Taunton School, is basking in the joy of her most recent success in what has been an outstanding year.

She received her award from the Taunton Festival of the Arts having also been the overall winner of the festival's Pop Vocals category.

Somerset County Gazette: Eliza Hopwood holds grade eight distinction in both trumpet and singingEliza Hopwood holds grade eight distinction in both trumpet and singing (Image: Ross Alexander)

Taunton School's production of The Addams Family entertained an audience of more than 1,300 at The Brewhouse Theatre.

Ms Hopwood was also the joint winner of the school's Concerto Competition earlier this year and performed with a professional orchestra in the school’s Spring Concert in March.

Director of Music at Taunton School, Toby Carden said: "Eliza’s success this year has been fantastic to see.

"From her exceptional performance as Morticia in The Addams Family, to achieving further success as the Taunton Young Music Theatre Singer of the Year, she makes a great impression on anyone who sees her perform and is worthy of all the praise she receives.

"She is a remarkable performer and an incredibly dedicated musician; the future is extremely bright for her."

Boasting a grade eight distinction in both the trumpet and singing, Ms Hopwood wants to pursue performing arts at the degree level.

At school, she sings with the Chapel Choir and Advanced Vocal Ensemble, in addition to playing the trumpet in the orchestra, wind band, dance band, and brass ensemble.

Many students from the school have won accolades with national and county choirs, orchestras, and bands.

The school consistently offers scholarships to musically inclined students in year seven, year nine, and year 12.