Few graduates have the distinction of being able to literally sing the praises of their teachers and principal.

But tomorrow, 13-year-old Erica Martin will serenade her classmates, teachers and principal at the Spice Valley Middle School graduation ceremony.

"I'm going to sing `If I Could','' revealed the young singer. "It is a song that has lots of meaning.'' Singing songs with meaning before appreciative audiences is something that has come naturally to Erica since the age of four.

"I have been singing since I was four-years-old,'' Erica recalled. "I used to sing at my church, Warwick Holiness Church, and people just started asking me to sing at their functions.'' Over the years, Erica has performed at numerous gospel concerts, weddings, funerals and countless community and charity events.

"I've sung abroad a couple of times,'' she said. "I represented Bermuda in Canada and I've sung at a banquet in North Carolina.'' "If someone calls I will ask Erica if she wants to do it,'' said Erica's mother Debbie Martin. "I don't like to force her. I just assist her to find a suitable song for the occasion.'' "If it is a charity event, then I am there, especially where it involves children,'' added Erica.

And for her vocal community efforts, young Erica has received two letters of praise from MPs in the House of Assembly.

But the teenage singer said such accolades do not go to her head since her family keep her feet firmly on the ground.

Just like any teenager, school and homework always come first.

"I don't sing on school nights,'' she explained. "I have to do all of my school work before I can practice and I study every night.'' Despite a hectic schedule, the well-mannered singer insisted that she gets time to kick-back and do things that any other 13-year-old would do -- including chores.

"She is very helpful around the house,'' noted Erica's mother. "She loves housework, she likes to have everything just-so. She is very organised.'' "I take an African dance class, play the piano, I'm a Girl Guide and I bowl on Saturdays,'' Erica pointed out. "I was on the school basketball team and every Wednesday I pack groceries at Lindo's.

"And every Friday I have voice lessons at the Academy of Music.'' Once tomorrow's graduation is over, Erica will focus her attention on giving a stellar performance in the play `Listen to Ya Mama' which takes to the stage Thursday and Friday at the South Side Theatre in St. David's.

"I never get stage fright,'' she added. "Every time before I go on to sing, I pray that I will do well.'' Hectic schedule: Singer Erica Martin still finds time to fit in her schoolwork, bowling and an African dance class when she's not in demand for a performance.