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North-east teenager lands place at prestigious performance school

Melissa Heywood, Westhill, gained entry to the MGA academy of performing arts.
Melissa Heywood, Westhill, gained entry to the MGA academy of performing arts.

A north-east teenager has secured a place at a prestigious performance arts academy.

Christmas came early for Melissa Heywood last week as she landed a coveted place at The MGA Academy of Performing Arts in Edinburgh.

The 16-year-old said: “It’s the Christmas present from heaven.

“I’m looking forward to everything involved in studying at The MGA Academy, and I’ll be doing what I really want to do.

“My family are so fed up of me singing and dancing around the house, so I’m excited about going to do it somewhere else.

“I think The MGA Academy will help build my confidence as a performer, especially in singing, and I can’t wait to perform in all their big shows.”

Recent graduates of the academy include Elly Jay, from Fraserburgh, who recently earned a dream contract entertaining guests on P&O’s Britannia cruise ship and Thomas Doherty, star of Disney’s popular new television show The Lodge.

Westhill performer Melissa Heywood will begin training for her dream career next summer when she embarks on the HND Musical Theatre course after impressing staff during an intensive audition.

After gaining entry to one of Scotland’s leading performing arts academies, the fifth-year pupil at Westhill Academy has her sights firmly set on carving out a career as a professional performer.

Melissa said: “It was a big decision to leave school after fifth year, and it’s a huge thing to be moving away from home. I’ve been to Edinburgh for dance shows and, earlier this year, for a jazz festival with my family. The festival scene there is a big draw.”

During the audition at The MGA Academy’s base in the Balgreen area of the capital, Melissa impressed tutors in jazz and ballet lessons, a monologue presentation, and a singing class, she said: “In a strange way, I felt afterwards that I wouldn’t have minded not gaining a place on the course as I’d learned so much during the auditions.

“My mum messaged me when I was in school to tell me I’d received a letter of acceptance – I screamed out loud and had to tell everyone in the class why. I had lots of people congratulating me in the corridor, which was really nice.

“When I went to The MGA Academy for auditions, I felt I fitted in straight away and that I’d like to learn there. The teachers seem to enjoy their work and were very honest, and they told all the candidates to come only if they were prepared to take on hard work and if their heart was in it.”

Melissa started dancing at City Moves in Aberdeen and is a member at Fusion Dance Company and Inverurie’s Evolution School of Dance.

For the past decade, she has also been a part of local charity The Gaitherin, which runs workshops in music, dance, and drama for young people. She lists Westhill Academy drama teacher Yvonne Wheeler and singing teacher Matthew Rose among her inspirations.

Andrew Gowland, managing director of The MGA Academy, said: “We look forward to welcoming Melissa to The MGA Academy. She is already very talented and impressed all the staff during her audition, but we are confident the training she receives here will ensure that she improves as a performer and help her achieve her dream of being on stage.”