SINGING along to her favourite Disney songs in the garden, a young Natalie Coyle was first encouraged to pursue a musical career by a neighbour.
Being frightfully shy as a child, the Little Bookham resident admits she wasn't a natural performer and used to feel ill before performances.
But with her passion to succeed, she overcome her inhibitions to lay the foundations of a promising singing career.
Now aged 25, the former St Therea's School pupil is gearing up to record her debut album and hoping to take the classical charts by storm.
"Singing has always been something I've really wanted to do," she said.
"My older sister and I used to tape ourselves singing, which probably sounded awful, to send to our Dad who worked abroad a lot.
"My only problem was that I was a really shy child. I didn't really talk to people so I wasn't a natural performer but to get over this, I used to always be in character which really helped me to come out of my shell."
The 25-year-old is currently touring the country with Classic BRIT Award winners Blake and she is looking forward to catching up with friends and family when she performs at Epsom Playhouse on May 30.
"It's really nice to go home after travelling to so many places around the UK," said Miss Coyle, who has sung with the likes of Susan Boyle and Katherine Jenkins.
"It's my first time performing at Epsom and it's going to be really special to have friends and family there."
She added: "Growing up, I used to listen to people like Peggy Lee and Vera Lynn who really inspired me. They were not auto tuned, just amazingly talented performers.
"I wanted to learn to become a well-rounded and established artist and to do that you need to go through the motions of working hard and understanding that it was going to take a lot of time and effort."
Earlier this month, Miss Coyle sang the national anthem in front of 50,000 people at Wembley Stadium ahead of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.
But she admits auditioning in front of Blake to support them on their UK tour was more nervewracking.
She continued: "I've got a lot of gigs coming up at some venues which I would say are on par with Wembley. I am also hoping to work on my album at the end of the year and then see what happens.
"You never know what's round the corner and you don't so I'll keep working hard every day in the hope there will always be something around the corner."
She added: "For a girl who was terrified of everything and didn't want to say anything to singing in front of thousands at Wembley – It's been a brilliant journey and I'm so proud."
Tickets are still available to see Miss Coyle and Blake at the Epsom Playhouse on Thursday, May 30. Call the box office on 01372 742555.
