Ailing P.E.I. father to accompany daughter to Irish singing school

A teenage Charlottetown singer says spending a week at a summer singingschool in Ireland will be a way for her to expand her knowledge in choral music.

It is also a special time to spend with herfatherNigel,who is in the late stages of prostate cancer.

SiobhanArmstrong,a 15-year-oldstudent at Stonepark Intermediate will attend the 2018AnnaInternational Summer School next month.

"It's a camp to teach you all about the style of singing known assean ns," said the teen. "It's a traditional Irish type of singing it's a very pure and lovely soft type of singing in my opinion."

Annais determined to keep the style of singing alive, the student added.

Early talent

Siobhan'sfather said they learned about theAnnachoir when it played at the Indian River Festival in 2013 and offered a free workshop.

"We tookSiobhanthere, she was a wee little thing in all these grownups," he said. "They loved her name, they remembered her incredible tone and voice and we've just stayed in touch."

Siobhan, who has been singing since she was five, said she spends an average of five hours a week singing depending on the number of shows.

"I'm in the Confederation Youth Chorus, this is my fourth year and they've given so many great opportunities."

She said the youth chorus has been a huge part of her life and it's the reason she's going to Ireland.

"I've made so many good friends in that choir and I've been able to experience so many new things and so many cultures and develop myself vocally."

Special trip

After she was accepted into the singing schoolthefamily had to raise $4,000 for father and daughter to make the trip.

"It's really special to have my dad with me because he's currently suffering with cancer and we really don't know how much time he really does have left."

She said it was important to have him there to hear her sing in a place they normally wouldn't visit.

"It's really special in that way."

The young singer credits her father for his unwavering support of her singing and all that it involves.

"I wanted to go and support but I'm suffering, I'm quite late stage prostate cancer so we're kind of on the last stages."

In order to make the trip, he has begun to undergo chemotherapy to help keep the cancer at bay a bit longer.

"We're going to go just as quick as we can to make it happen."

Armstrong said he wants to thank the community for its support through a GoFundMecampaign.

"This is entirely community driven," he said. "We couldn't have done it without them. We are very fortunate."

Siobhanplans to continuesinging and to one day tour with an all-girls chorus.

"It's brought so much joy and so much happiness to my life and I want to give other people that opportunity."

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