Caitlin stars in deaf showcase
ANDREA LAMBROU
A Strathaven schoolgirl has inspired the next generation of deaf talent at a prestigious arts event.
Talented performer Caitlin Salmond showed off her musical abilities at a showcase event in Birmingham last week, organised by the National Deaf Children’s Society.
The nine-year-old was selected from dozens of hopefuls to take part in Raising the Bar, an intensive weekend of workshops in music, dance and drama, culminating in a showcase performance.
Caitlin, along with 19 other talented youngsters, spent the weekend at the Ruddock Performance Arts Centre being mentored by professional deaf musicians, dancers and actors before demonstrating her extraordinary talents on stage in front of dozens of parents, family and friends.
The event was designed to inspire deaf young people and show that there is nothing in the arts that deaf children cannot achieve with the right support.
Mentoring the young performers were leading deaf performance companies Music and the Deaf, Deaf Men Dancing and Deafinitely Theatre.
The 20 young people, ranging in age from 8 to 16, were selected after they submitted videos of their talents in music, dance and drama, demonstrating the skills they had acquired, their personal journeys and the barriers they had overcome.
Damian Ball of the National Deaf Children’s Society said: “It filled me with pride to watch Caitlin and the other deaf youngsters display their incredible talents. What a wonderful evening filled with truly memorable performances.
“It was great to see so many deaf young people showing their families, friends and each other exactly what can be achieved in life with a bit of belief, drive and dedication.
“So often I hear people think deaf people can’t achieve in life but this couldn’t be further from the truth. “This weekend demonstrated so clearly that with the right support deaf young people can aim for the stars and prove the doubters wrong.” Deaf Hollywood actress Millicent Simmonds, star of ‘A Quiet Place’, said: “I’m honoured to support the Raising the Bar event. When I was growing up I never saw deaf actors in movies or on TV. I never thought it was a possibility for me. “I feel it’s important for kids to feel represented and see people like them on screen. If deaf kids can see me on screen and feel like they can do it that makes me happy but that goes for any career, not just acting. “Focus on your path. Don’t make comparisons because progress looks different for everyone and enjoy others’ success as well as your own.”