IT’S a long way from belting out musical hits on stage at Knightswood’s School of Dance to singing the US National Anthem at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

But Georgia Johnson has loved every second of the journey.

“My time at Knightswood was the best ever,” she smiles. “I got to live and breathe performing and it’s where I discovered my passion for doing this. I got addicted and that’s what led me to New York and eventually to the Highland Divas…”

Georgia is one third of the Highland Divas, one of the headline acts at Monday’s Scottish Variety Gala Performance in the Clyde Auditorium.

Georgia, fellow Scot Margaret Kelly, who is from Falkirk and New Zealand-born Marla Kavanaugh, have been performing their mix of folk, Celtic, pop and opera – all with a Scottish twist – since 2010 but this is the first time they will appear on stage in Scotland.

“We are absolutely over the moon to finally be performing in Glasgow,” beams Georgia, who now lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters.

“We have wanted to do it for so long and we have not had the opportunity. So it’s great to get the chance to take part in this show.”

After completing Knightswood’s musical theatre course, Georgia won a scholarship to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2004.

Since graduating in 2006, she has enjoyed a string of successful roles on stage and television, and recently wowed US troops as part of the American Bombshells, performing at the bedsides of injured veterans.

All three of the Divas have sung the US anthem in front of American crowds – a huge honour for non-US singers.

“We feel very honoured to have done so,” nods Marla, who founded the Highland Divas with Margaret after a chance meeting at a concert to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York.

“It’s such a big deal for Americans, and we are very respectful of that and try to make sure that comes across.”

Marla, whose dad is Scottish, grins: “We do the same when we perform Flower of Scotland too, of course.”

Marla and Margaret started up the Highland Divas to “bring Scottish music and culture to the fore” and their soaring vocals with a Scottish flavour have had a fantastic reception all over America.

In recent months, they have performed in Madison Square Garden to a live televised audience of millions, sung with Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, and at a moving 9/11 commemoration at Pearl Harbor.

The icing on the cake was making their debut appearance on stage at New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall, and their families and friends flew over from across the world for the occasion.

Margaret, who now lives in New York, explains: “We have worked our backsides off to build up our reputation and in the last year or so, everything has really taken off.

“The icing on the cake recently was singing at the Carnegie Hall – it was incredible.”

The Divas are looking forward to performing their blend of traditional Scottish ballads, powerful Celtic melodies and new versions of pop and opera songs as part of the Scottish Variety Gala Performance at the Clyde Auditorium on October 16.

They will be joining a diverse collection of stars, including Donnie Munro, Glasgow Philharmonia Orchestra, Beau Dermott, DJ George Bowie, Nicholas McDonald, Gleadhraich and Allan Stewart, in an extravaganza of live performance.

Scots actress and singer Melanie Masson, who appeared on The X Factor and recently performed alongside John Barrowman at the SECC panto, is also on the bill, alongside Musichoir Scotland, Pantheon Club Glasgow, Garry Greig, BGT’s Spartans Resurrection Display Team and the McCallum School of Music.

Event producer, and Glasgow Philharmonia conductor Ross Gunning explains: “Having all this talent under one roof in Glasgow is a very exciting prospect.

“Bringing all this together is very daunting but to be able to showcase exactly what Scotland is about in the best light, especially at this time, will be worth it.

“There are many firsts for Scotland which makes this event a very special one.”

Judging by the responses on the Highland Divas’ social media pages, fans are delighted to finally see the women perform here in Scotland.

“We have been amazed by the response, it’s been so lovely,” smiles Georgia.

“Being here does feel like our homecoming. We have all discovered so many different connections.

“And it’s wonderful to be here together. Even though we all have our solo careers and our own lives, we find our strength in being together.”

Marla agrees: “We’re a sisterhood – this can be a competitive business, but we support each other.”

The trio admits to feeling some nerves ahead of their Scottish debut.

Maragaret laughs: “We have already cried in rehearsals, so we’re just hoping we can hold it together on the night. We can’t wait – it really is a dream come true.”

Visit www.ents24.com for tickets or find more information at www.facebook.com/ScottishVarietyPerformance