Cloverdale’s Irene Reed is over-the-moon excited about her upcoming trip to Ontario.

Not only will she be traversing the continent with her husband Bud, and their daughter Maria, but Reed is travelling all-expenses-paid for three days to compete in a national singing competition.

Reed, 75, said music has been a part of her life since infancy. She first started accompanying her older brother when he played the accordian for family, took up piano lessons at age eight, then started voice lessons – with the same music teacher – in Grade 9.

Since then, she’s continued singing, primarily at the Langley United Church, with periodic appearances as a soloist at two Vancouver churches.

She’s even joined her piano accompanist from the competition, Joyce Thompson, at Highland and Langley Lodges.

But admittedly, Reed said this was the first time in more than five decades she thought of entering a singing competition. And given the results, she’s glad she did.

As the regional winner of the Chartwell Seniors Housing Senior Star competition at Langley Gardens in June, her strong, clear soprano voice beat out 13 other local competitors to qualify for the semi-finals (which were judged only on a recording from the regionals).

Recently, Reed learned that out of the 58 who made it to the semi-finals, she was one of 10 (and the only from Western Canada) picked to perform in Toronto this fall.

Having never travelled further east (in Canada) than Winnipeg, the Edmonton-born singer hopes she can wow the judges and crowd at the historic Carlu concert hall with her English and Italian rendition of Come Back to Sorrento. That’s the same song that won her top spot at the regionals.

“I’m looking forward to competing,” Reed said. “Apparently we’re going to have an orchestra playing for us.”

When asked what helped cinch her victory at the regional level, Reed acknowledged that she’s very comfortable performing in front of crowds, and said that may have been a factor.

“Plus, I think it was how I connect with the audience,” she said, reluctant to reflect on her own personal strengths, including her strong voice.

She hopes that winning combination can continue when she heads to Toronto in mid-October.

Chartwell celebrates the talent, experience and vitality of seniors through its Senior Star competition, now in its fourth year.

Open to anyone who is 65 or older and a Canadian resident, contestants do not have to be living in a Chartwell residence.

Following regional auditions in more than 60 locations across Canada, celebrity judges Gordie Tapp, Tim Louis and Dan Clancy have selected 10 finalists from almost 500 performances.

Reed will join nine other contestants hailing from Ontario: Barry Greene, Victor Johnson, Chuck Mugford, Glenn Higgins, Wendy West, Carmen Hill, Gayle Johnston, Barry Gardner, and Mel Collie.

 “Senior Star has grown to be the largest celebration of seniors’ talent in Canada,” said Brent Binions, president and CEO of Chartwell. “We are proud to support the incredible abilities of Canadian seniors.”