MUSIC artists gave Weybridge students the secrets of their success at an event at Mercedes-Benz World on Monday.

Darius Campbell, who was launched to stardom as a contestant on Popstars and Pop Idol - when he was then known as Darius Danesh - and most recently TV's Popstar to Opera Star, was on hand to give the Heathside music students advice.

He was joined by Faryl Smith, 14, who sang her way into the heart's of the public during the 2008's Britain's Got Talent and has since released two classical albums, and two stars from classical band Blake, tenor, Ollie Baines, and bass baritone, Stephen Bowman.

All artists will be appearing, among others, at the Mercedes-Benz World Summer Concert series on July 4.

The GSCE music students, from years 9 and 10, took part in a question and answer session before some got up to sing for the stars. Beth Goldsack asked Darius: "What have you done since Popstar to Opera Star?

To which he explained to the room that only Sunday night he had performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the O2 as Escamillo, the bull fighter, in opera Carmen.

He said: "The philharmonic orchestra are one of the best in the world so to get to perform with them was amazing. I only had three weeks rehearsal."

Ollie spoke about performing at the Royal Albert Hall and Faryl spoke about how she started singing at the age of seven.

Pupil, Georgia Glover, was then picked to sing with Darius while a group of girls sang with Faryl and the Blake boys. The pupils and stars put on a great performance, that even brought a tear to one eye of VIP host Shelley Roberts, who said: "They were all amazing. It's been such a fantastic morning. The stars are all lovely."

Darius told the Herald: "Performing in Carmen has to be the biggest highlight of my career so far. I only found out a week before that I'm the youngest star ever to cast as Escamillo and the first non-classically-trained performer so I had the time of my life. It was such a privilege."

Performing on Popstar to Opera Star has inspired Darius to write new material and he says his third album will be out later this year.

He added: "I'm really excited about performing at the Mercedes-Benz World concert. It's such a great venue with great history. It'll be great to be part of the big outdoor concert.

Darius picked the 1950's 300 SL Roadster his favourite, adding: "I love its 'old school' elegance and classic – perfect for the wonderful summer we are going to have."

After lunch the stars took to the tracks in a driving experience.

Will Young, Scouting for Girls, The Saturdays, X-Factor's Alexandra Burke and Olly Murs, Escala, Myleene Klass, Russell Watson, Blake and Camilla Kerslake will also all perform at the event taking place on Saturday July 3 and Sunday July 4.

ASPIRING young popstars took part in a celebrity musical masterclass at Mercedes Benz World on Monday.

Pupils from Heathside School in Weybridge joined pop star Darius Campbell and Britain's Got talent finalist Faryl Smith for a morning workshop.

The event, in line with an upcoming series of summer concerts at the flagship venue, gave GCSE music students the chance to grill a host of celebrities on their musical careers, and allowing them to perform with the celebrity hosts

Among those lucky enough to sing was Georgia Glover, who performed songs by Jason Mraz and the Black Eyed Peas with Darius.

She said: ""It was amazing, you’re really not going to get an opportunity like that all the time.

"I learnt from this to keep pushing for your dream because if you don’t practice and try hard then you will never make it as a performer."

The young Surrey talent impressed Darius, who recently triumphed in TV’s Popstar to Opera Star.

He said: "It is a joy to be here and be welcomed by the children from Heathside school.

"I think the talent here is incredible and all the more credit to them for not realising we were going to pounce on them and make then sing."

Darius feels that reaching out to young people is vital in order to find the next generation of musical talent.

"It is really important to engage with ages from as young as five to 18 because it is at this stage your development as a singer can lead somewhere where you may want to persue it as a career."

Faryl Smith, the 14-year-old who gained the approval of TV talent scout Simon Cowell in 2008, was pleased to meet like-minded students closer to her own age.

She said: "It was a really great event and I think it was a good thing to boost the kids' confidence."

She added: "We were only supposed to do a question and answer session but when you get Darius involved everyone ends up singing."

Students were glad to get so close to the celebrated performers. Lucy Osbourne, who is in Year 10, is now considering a career in performing.

She said: "This has made me think about performing as a job as they have done so well."

After the workshop, the stars were treated to a lap around the Mercedes Benz World circuit, where Faryl received a premature driving lesson.

She said: "My first driving lesson at 14 - I am quite proud."

Darius and Faryl will join the likes of Russell Watson and Myleene Klass at the Summer Concert series at Mercedes Benz World on June 4.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be playing this gig," said Darius, adding: "I cannot wait to get out there and play to thousands of people in this incredible surrounding."

Faryl said: "If the weather stays like this it will be incredible, especially with the acts we have got."