Rhiannon Ashley, aged 18 will be travelling to Patagonia in a once in life time trip to perform with the National Youth Choir of Wales.

She first auditioned to join the choir in 2013 and has since auditioned every year to be part of it again and now she has been selected to go to Patagonia.

She will be part of the 45 strong choir, aged 16 to 21 who will be travelling to Patagonia and Argentina for a two week tour.

The choir will be doing concerts in Buenos Aires, including one at the British Embassy and also in Trelew and Gaiman.

“I am nervous about the trip but I am excited; it’s going to be an incredible honour to visit there,” explains Rhiannon.

She added: “It makes it all the more special that this year is 150 years since the first settlers made the long trip out there. It will be really interesting seeing what it’s like there; I imagine it’s a cross between Spain and Wales.”

The choir will be performing songs by Karl Jenkins as well as those from Spanish composers. They will learn these songs during the choirs summer programme which Rhiannon explains quite intensive singing seven or eight hours a day.

In addition to choral singing, she has been studying classical voice with Buddug Verona James since 2010.

In September, she will start a music degree at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester studying in the School of Vocal and Opera Studies.

She said: “I’ve already had to ask for time off and it will be challenging to balance university and this trip but it’s such an amazing opportunity. All the work that I have done with different choirs and this trip is really what helped me get a place at university.”

As well as singing in four concerts for which two they will be joined by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the choir will take part in other activities. They will get the chance to see meet Welsh Patagonian's as well as take a boat trip to see penguins and whales.

“We have had a people from Patagonia stay at our house before. It will be interesting going out to see what it’s like where they live. Patagonian choirs will also be singing and it’ll be interesting to hear them sing in Welsh,” says Rhiannon.

Rhiannon is looking for a part time job to help fund this trip but she is also looking for sponsors to help. Anyone interested in helping sponsor her can contact Rhiannon on email via rhiannon.ashley@hotmail.com