Former Queen Margaret Academy pupil Ross Cooney represents singer Si Si Rae (pictured) who is following in the footsteps of Adele and Lady Gaga after reaching a music shortlist.

Twenty two-year-old Si Si, from Fenwick, has been shortlisted by MTV and Emporio Armani Diamonds in a search for new emerging music talent.

Si Si is signed to Ross’s Street Jazz Music Company and he is thrilled she is reaching new heights.

Ross, 37, said: "I am very pleased for Si Si. She works incredibly hard and has a great attitude. I am excited for her. She has an exciting journey ahead.” Si Si released her debut single Freak 12 weeks ago and respected radio presenter Jim Gellatly has been championing her music." Si Si said: "I’m really pleased that the single has been well received and have enjoyed all the live performances so far. The audiences have been great and I have had so many people contacting me on Facebook and the website to wish me well." “I am very proud of what Ross and I have achieved together." Ross grew up in Ayr and left when he was 18 to study music in Perth.

But he definitely established strong music foundations in the town at secondary school when he set up a band - the Dream Teddies.

Ross, who now lives in Dunlop, said: "I had a great schooling at Queen Margaret with Jack Logan the head of music. He helped me put my first band together. With this band, and with Jacks help I secured several television appearances through the Panasonic Rock School competition, performed at the hippodrome in London - and secured my first radio airplay on BBC Scotland. We even had a photo shoot with Latoya Jackson." Ross also managed to work at Wellington fish and chip shop in the Sandgate while juggling his early music interest.

He established the Street Jazz Music Company in 2008 and has performed for Prince Charles Nelson Mandela and Jules Holland.