studies music theory and has had singing lessons since she was ten years old.

She also studied the piano, "but it didn't work out''.

So what does this gifted Berkeley student want to be in the future? A veterinarian.

"I want to be a vet because I love animals,'' she explained.

Despite her obvious talent for music -- she has already performed in the Premier's and the President's Choice Pops concerts -- she described singing as simply a hobby she enjoyed doing.

"I can sing anything basically. ..opera, gospel, contemporary, classical,'' she said.

She began singing at age six and developed from there.

"I sang in a school play when I was in primary school in primary five or six and I was told that I should start training,'' she said.

Mother Donella Perinchief quickly sought out Barbara Garton at the Bermuda Academy of Music. Vernelda continues to train with her for half an hour every week.

"I was up for it,'' Vernelda said modestly.

Lessons begin with scale practice warming up and then Mrs. Garton usually recommends a piece to sing.

In the past Vernelda has performed "Come Unto Him'' from Handel's "Messiah'', "I Could Have Danced All Night'' from the musical "My Fair Lady'' and the operatic "La Pastorella''.

Her next public performance will be in March when she sings R. Kelly's "Turn Back the Hands of Time'' in the Berkeley Institute play "Switching Places''.

She also sings every week in the First Baptist Church choir.

"I like it all,'' she said.

Vernelda said her music lessons helped her learn the technical side of music, and also taught her proper diction and breathing methods.

But the training helped in other ways, too.

"It keeps your mind open to different things,'' she said. "(You learn) there isn't only one set way you can do it.

"You can do it a lot of ways.''