SHOPPERS stopped and stared as a sound more suited to Covent Garden than Coney Street drifted through York city centre.

Classically-trained singer Demelza Stafford was busy busking - performing a medley of music from popular operas, with a collecting basket filling up with donations from appreciative onlookers.

The money was going to a good cause - funding her training as she strives to join the ranks of the great opera singers.

But it is a difficult journey, and the determined 24-year-old is already £20,000 in debt, even with the support of generous private sponsors.

She has recently achieved a 2:1 following a four-year Bachelor of Music degree course at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama - she was one of 12 singers out of 300 applicants to win a place in 2001 - during which time her expenses included accommodation, music, extra singing lessons and attending performances.

She is about to embark on two years of post-graduate training at the prestigious Royal College of Music - set to cost £12,000 in tuition fees alone.

The former Selby High and York Sixth Form College student used a break from jury service in York to help pay her way by busking at St Helen's Square.

"I have student loans of £20,000 from my undergraduate training," she explained.

"I do have some sponsors who help me enormously. But it is always a case of trying to make sure there's money in the bank to keep going and to secure as many years of training as I need.

"Because I have all this support and sponsors helping me, it the £20,000 debt doesn't terrify me overly because I am not digging myself too far in. My sponsors are helping to keep that debt down.

"Busking helps. It is my contribution.

"I think when people see me busking they realise they are helping me continue with my studies and hopefully they can see it is worth it."

She said the hard graft and financial hardship was "absolutely worth it".

"There's just something special about being able to transform into a character and share a story with people through some of the most fantastic music ever written.

"The experience of going through the emotions with the music is just so phenomenal. It really pushes you and to see the reaction from other people is amazing. I don't think there's anything else like it. It is lovely to be part of that surprise when people say: 'Oh, I didn't realise I liked opera'. That's the beauty of busking."

Demelza, of Hambleton, near Selby, has performed at weddings, dinners, receptions and charity concerts.

To sponsor her or for bookings, phone 07939 579782 or 07811 466550.

Updated: 10:42 Thursday, August 11, 2005