Perth’s Lauren (18) to pursue dancing dream
Place at academy
Lauren Marshall An aspiring dancer from Perth has landed a place at a leading Scottish performing arts academy.
Eighteen-year-old Lauren Marshall, soon to leave Perth High School and a former pupil at Craigie Primary, has gained entry to the MGA Academy of Performing Arts in Edinburgh, where she will begin a three-year Dance Diploma course full-time training in September.
The young performer started tap and ballet at the Julie Young Dance Centre for Performing Arts in Perth when she was only two.
Lauren wants to be a professional dancer and this opportunity will allow her to remain in Scotland while studying at a level equivalent to prestigious London performing arts colleges.
Lauren sailed through an intensive audition at the MGA Academy, which last month became the first full-time professional training academy in Scotland to be awarded accreditation by CDET, the UK’s quality assurance and membership body for the professional dance, drama and musical theatre industries.
“A week after my audition I got a letter through the post. I opened it, saw it was an acceptance letter, and cried,” said Lauren. “I was totally shocked that I got into somewhere I really wanted to go.”
She now plans to move to Edinburgh in summer.
“I am sad about leaving all my friends and dance teacher but excited about the adventure I’m going to start,” Lauren added.
“I enjoy being on stage, the buzz you get, and getting applause from the audience.
“I hope the MGA Academy will help me build more confidence and become a much stronger dancer, giving me the opportunity to go into a good job.
“I would like to do cruise ships or be in the West End in London.”