A SOPRANO starlet has self-released her debut album with a 'pay what you want’ scheme in a bid to raise enough cash to fund her studies at the country’s most prestigious music school.

Jennifer Coleman, of Burnham Lane, is hoping to raise £10,000 to fund a graduate diploma in vocal studies at the Royal College of Music in London, which she starts in September.

She released EP Simple Gifts on Valentine’s Day. The former Burnham Grammar School pupil, 24, said: “I believe that classical music should be accessible to everyone.

“My mission is to share a piece of my heart with as many people as possible through the medium of song.” The soprano performs across the UK and internationally.

She has also bagged a host of awards in her fledgling singing career. They include the Mavis Bennett Award for Grand Opera and the John Lightfoot Award for Musical Theatre at Maidenhead Music Festival.

She is under the tutorage of Professor Susan McCulloch and has been awarded a place at the Royal College of Music after completing her undergraduate degree with honours at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.She has performed on the Sky Arts channel, on Channel 4 series Hidden Talent and the 2006 series of The X Factor, in which she got through to boot camp. She added: “I have decided to sell my music on a 'pay what you want’ philosophy – if you aren’t too sure about classical music this gives you the option to try before you buy. If you don’t have money you can download it for free, but I ask that you share my music with your friends in return. If you like it you can always come back at another time when you are able to.” To download the EP, visit www.gumroad.com/l/simplegifts or www.jennifer-coleman.co.uk