Biography
I’ve put together a kind of life story of myself because i thought it would be nice for you to see how it all started for me and how much i have developed over the years. I couldn’t believe how long this list ended up being! I’ve also linked to a few people / organisations who have helped me along the way – I wouldn’t be doing what i am today if it weren’t for all of these people, so this is my thank you.
I will be continuing to add to the story, as and when i achieve new awards. Keep checking back.
Age 2
I started dancing with Sue Jones at Kickers Dance Studio, Chesterfield.I was taught ballet,tap,modern,acrobatics,mime and musical theatre.I took hundreds of AAD exams (Association of American Dancing) and collected medals certificates and trophy’s. I performed many times at The Pomegranate Theatre,Chesterfield and Wintergardens Theatre, Blackpool as part of Kickers Dance Troupe.
Age 10
It was the first time i really realised i had a voice, I sang on a karaoke at a party, i remember singing “Think Twice” by Celine Dion and everybody was so shocked that i sang it so well. I think it was the first time i knew myself that i want to take singing further. It definitely wasn’t the last time i sang on karaoke!
Age 12
I performed in talents shows every year as a secondary student at school and won most years with dances that i would choreograph myself or with friends and also songs that i had practised and memorised the words to, i also was given a main acting role with many lines to learn in an original play called “Parabola” that Jenny Reakes from performing arts had written herself.
Age 15
I began taking singing lessons from The Music Rooms in Chesterfield and became a singer for their resident band, “Soul River”. I was also talent spotted by another band called “Respect” who I also became a singer for. We travelled and performed at entertainment venues across the UK.
Age 16
My performing arts teacher Jenny Reakes from The Bolsover School, Bolsover, Chesterfield encouraged me to audition for stage-school. I auditioned for the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama, (M.A.D.D) in Nottingham and was granted a fully funded scholarship to attend for 3 years.I also was given a grant from the Lawrence Atwell Charity,(who help young performers) which both my mum and myself tried so hard to apply for before stage-school was to start. I studied acting,improvisation,singing,ballet,tap.modern,street dance,,jazz, contemporary and musical theatre under the organisations of I.D.T.A (International Dance Teachers Association) and I.S.T.D(Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing). I also performed in 2 fully paid pantomimes while still training at college.”Aladdin” and “Sleeping Beauty” at the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Scotland with Team Entertainments, David Burrows and Sally Coppen.
Age 18
I had a photo shoot with Back 150 Studios in London to promote myself for future auditions, it’s something that all entertainers must have if they want to work.I also had a photoshoot with Double Take Studios in london which was a slightly more commercial photoshoot.I found out that i really enjoyed being in front of the camera.
Age 19
I graduated college with a diploma in professional dance and a diploma in musical theatre and began auditioning for jobs at Pinapple Dance Studios and Dance Attic in London.I also became a member of Equity and Spotlight, both are organisations to help entertainers in the industry.After some time i eventually got a job as a dancer working for David King and with Brian Rogers in “Spirit of the dance” and ” Broadway”. These shows took me to Jerusalem and Televiv in Israel and Reno in Nevada where i became resident in the Eldorado casino.After 6 months i auditioned for lead female vocalist within the company for the “Broadway” show, i was successful and joined the rest of the cast in San Diego and then became resident in Branson, Missouri.
Age 21
I worked for P&O Cruises with Live Business Entertainments and Debbie Blackett as a singer/dancer travelling from hull to europe. I was appointed dance captain and assistant choreographer while on the ship.I was residant on the ship for 6 months.
Age 22
I decided to move to london, where i wanted to pursue a career in west end musicals as this was one of my long held dreams.I joined agencies such as Formula live productions with Dan Lock, and Jackie Nicholson Associates.They regularly sent me to musical auditions and i got close so many times with shows such as “Dirty Dancing”, “Fame” and “Mamma Mia” but i felt that it wasn’t meant to be at this point in my career.I decided to move to Chesterfield and open a small dance school called “Faces” i taught at Brampton Manor Country Club in Chesterfield and the school ran for 6 months, i taught children from the ages of 6 to 15, musical theatre.It was a very rewarding time.
Age 23
I was offered a job out of the blue with a company called MBP (Micha Bergese Productions) who had previously seen me audition the year before.I worked on board Ocean Village Two cruise liner as lead female vocalist of the show cast.We travelled around most of the Caribbean islands for 6 months and docked at Barbados weekly.I also had a photo shoot with Benjamin Robinson, who now works for Double Take Studios, the photo-shoot was a more natural shoot with beautiful scenery, we were lucky to work at aeroplane beach in St Martin.
Age 24
I decided to move back to Chesterfield and join entertainment agencies in the uk such as Foremost Entrainment, Jackson Event Management, Darren Smith Entertainments, Noel Gee Associates and Steve Martin Entertainments.I performed at holiday parks, corporate events and other entertainment venues extensively around the UK. It was the first time in my life as a performer that i was able to have complete control over my own show, from the repertoire of songs to the choreography and costumes. I really enjoyed doing this so i now tailor my own show to any style of music that is asked for, i sing almost every type of genre to a very high standard.
Age 25
I entered a competition called “search for a star” hosted by Chris Heathcotes of Bellajo productions at Pacific lounge bar in Chesterfield, where i competed with other great singers over a period of 8 weeks, on the grand final i was announced the winner by Becky Measures of Peak FM 107.4 and won many fantastic prizes including £1000 and a day in the recording studio with James Singleton of Beefstock sound.
I also started to choreograph,design and direct and perform a Kylie tribute show called “Wow”.I have taken this to many corporate events around the uk.
Age 26
I performed at The Winding Wheel Theatre in Chesterfield for an NSPCC charity event held by Sharon Bull of Monroe Events.I also had live photos taken by Jonathon Riley of Jonathon Photography. I have also choreographed, designed, directed and performed in my own musical inspired show called “Popsical” it was a chance for me to get back to my roots with musical theatre and also intergrate pop as well.I also write my own material which inspires me to write from the heart about my own experiences on life aimed to connect with the public. I currently have 16 songs that i will pursue as another musical project. I have worked with Glenn Boulton at Digital Image Recording Studios,where i have recorded another demo and plan on furthering my own material.I also won “Karaoke Idol 8″ which was a prestigous singing competition at Back to the Nineties in Chesterfield.The competition ran for 5 weeks and i was lucky enough to win £1000, a huge bunch of flowers, Moet Champayne and beauty vouchers from Identity Hair and Beauty.Not to mention the 2 hour limo ride included in the final night of the competition.The judges included Jason Field, Kashryn Mellors, Becky Measures,Chris Heathcote and Dave Vickers.I have recently had pictures taken by Ian Boler of Ian Boler photography, a lovely man who aims on getting the best possible photos out of the shoot.
Age 27
I started the year off with the Grand Final of open mic uk on the 15th Jan and out of 8,000 acts i got into the last 75 to win a recording contract.It wasnt my turn this year but i got a chance to perform at the O2 arena in London, which was amazing.I,m currenting choreographing a Moulin Rouge based show called ROUGE! It will start on the 19th March and i hope to travel with the show.
Age 28
I am now very proud to anounce that a have been working on a very exciting tribute show which is available to book, its my first project as a solo tribute and who better to start the new year off than with Uk s Number 1 Tribute to Rihanna.Its an all singing all dancing 1 hour show,filled with all of the great chart topping hits and authentic costumes that show rihanna at her best. I have thoroughly enjoyed creating this show and only have great things planned for it so watch this space!
If you would like to contact me for a booking etc – then please click on the contact page of the site and either fill in the form or contact me direct.
