Girlband singer's talent 'obvious' says former teacher
Bristol music teacher Gillian Sheard says Girlband singer Marisa Billitteri's talent was obvious when she taught her at school.
Mrs Sheard was Marisa's music teacher at the former Speedwell School in the 1990s and put her on the stage at Bristol's Colston Hall when she was just 11.
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Girlband singer's talent 'obvious' says former teacher
She said: "You couldn't help but spot her talent. She has a powerful belter of a voice with a good range and at 11 was very mature for her age.
"Two deputy heads had died and we decided to hold a celebration of their lives at the Colston Hall.
"Marisa sang Abba's Thank You for the Music. She showed no signs of nerves - she was as cool as a cucumber."
Marisa, now 20, from Kingswood, also used to sing in annual Stars in Your Eyes talent shows at Speedwell.
Mrs Sheard, who now teaches music at St Bede's Catholic School in Lawrence Weston, plays videos of Marisa singing to instruct and inspire her students.
She said: "Marisa keeps in touch to let me know how she is doing. I have just sent her a card telling her to ignore the comments made by the X Factor judges unless they are musical and she can use them to improve the band's performance.
"When I was listening to her on the TV I could hear her voice above the others because I know her voice. They all have good voices.
"I thought the comments made were not musical but can be devastating to hear.
"Regardless of what happens on the X Factor I hope that Marisa gets some work as a singer.
"It's every little girl's deam but she has the talent to make it happen."
Last weekend Marisa and bandmates Tita and Phoebe Lau from Whitehall and Layla Manoochehri had to go head to head with fellow girl group Bad Lashes to stay in the competition.
Girlband sang Dionne Warwick's That's What Friends Are For while Bad Lashes from the north east sang the Oasis song Wonderwall.
The judges' vote was equally split and the outcome was then decided by the results of the earlier public vote which Girlband won.
This Saturday's live show, which starts at 7.25pm on ITV1 will have a Michael Jackson theme.
26 Comments
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by JoJo, Bristol
Wednesday, October 15 2008, 9:50AM
“Mike I'm not going on X Factor because I have the sense to know I'm not talented enough - unlike Girlband who obviously are deluded enough to think they are.”
by Mike, Bristol
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 11:21PM
“I find it amazing that when someone in life has a go at trying to hit the big time or to achieive something that they get slagged off. This page smells slightly of envy. For some. Jo Jo why don't you have a go at x factor next year we could call you. I wish it was me band. Shame on you.”
by JoJo, Bristol
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 4:00PM
“Angela I'm not being negative, just truthful. Bad Lashes were just as awful and looked what happened to them.”
by JoJo, Bristol
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 3:57PM
“I think they are only being plugged because Marisa works for the Evening Post. There are no comments from the employers of the others - whoever they are. A bit of free publicity there. I think Marisa told a slight porkie on Saturday night though because she said in a pre-recorded interview that she was a recruitment consultant!!!”
by soarer, bristol
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 3:56PM
“They probably won't win I would bet on it. However they are achieving a lot more with their lives, at a young age, than most of the miserable posters who sit on pcs typing on the local rags blog. me included. If you are trying to do something fantastic with your life why don't you stop commenting on her in a negative manner and get on with it. Who are the losers?”
by Angela, Fishponds
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 3:55PM
“JoJo - I refuse to be drawn into your negativity. You are entitled to your opinion.
How many hundreds of thousands did they have to beat to get to the live finals?? Not bad for a talentless bad.”
by Jamie Plumley, Bristol
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 3:42PM
“C'mon Girlband I know you can do it... wooooooo”
by Yokel, Bristol
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 3:27PM
“Who cares if they are any good or not? It's all about Bri-stol, Bri-stol, Bri-stol and selling more copies of the BEP.”
by JoJo, Bristol
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 3:06PM
“Angela, why should we get behind them when they have minimal talent?”
by Angela, Fishponds
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 3:01PM
“I think Girlband sounded great with their 2nd song on Saturday and agree that the 1st sounded cheesy!
I too have heard Marisa sing live and agree she has an amazing voice, as do her band members and most of the rest of the contestants on the live show.
However, where has community spirit gone? - come on Bristol - we have a group of lovely young girls who do not go around terrorising the old folk and vandalising property, lets get behind them and celebrate something positive in the local community, its only a phonecall after all.”