I happened across this video of 9-year-old Amilla Willighagen auditioning for Holland's version of "America's Got Talent". I WAS BLOWN AWAY... and still have goose bumps.

For her audition she stepped out on a stage in front of more than 1,500 people (not to mention their t.v. audience), obviously nervous she waited for the crowd to quiet down, then sang Ave Maria like an Angel!

The little opera phenom went on to the semi-finals where she did a repeat performance of "Ave Maria" even better than her audition...

Almira went on from the semis and performed in the finals and WON! The 9-year-old won the competition by doing "Nessun Dorma" an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot, and is one of the best-known arias in all opera. (Since I had not learned that from a Snapple lid, I had to look it up).

I am sure that young Amira will have a long and successful career in Opera. Now I am going to listen again... a few times probably.

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