Iceni News Gorleston-On-Sea Teenager

Gorleston-On-Sea Teenager Secures Place At UK's Most Prestigious Performing Arts School

A 16-year-old student from Gorlestonon-Sea has a lot to celebrate at the moment after recently securing a place at the UK's most prestigious performing arts school.

Charlotte Gray (pictured right), who is currently a pupil at Lynn Grove Academy, will be heading down to Hertfordshire this autumn to study on the Commercial Music Course at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, whose glittering alumni include Lily James (Disney's Cinderella and star of Mamma Mia 2! Here We Go Again) and Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the Last Jedi and Murder on the Orient Express).

Charlotte discovered her passion for performing at a very young age when she started writing her own songs so her parents decided to enrol her at DPA Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, which she still attends and is now head girl.

So, she is no stranger to performing, having taken part in many shows at DPA as well as representing the UK in the 2018 Dance World Cup in a group contemporary dance. Charlotte also performs as part of a duo called So Laissez Faire, and they have performed on BBC Radio Norfolk and at the Folk East festival 2019.

Talking about securing her place at Tring Park School, Charlotte said: “I am so excited to be starting at Tring Park in September so I can develop my skills as a musician as well as study for my A levels. I was blown away with the facilities and staff when I auditioned. I can't wait to start!” Charlotte's mum Suzie is equally thrilled for the opportunity that her daughter now has. “This is a very exciting opportunity for Charlotte and I am so proud of her for being given a place on the Commercial Music course at Tring Park. We know she will make the most of this amazing opportunity.”

As well as Daisy Ridley and Lily James, Tring Park School's alumni include Jessica BrownFindlay (Downton Abbey); director and choreographer Drew McOnie, who won the 2016 Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer for his work on In the Heights.

Drew has also directed Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom in the West End, and King Kong on Broadway; former X Factor star Ella Henderson; and Thandie Newton (Crash, Mission: Impossible II; Westworld; and the Line of Duty).

Tring Park School is both a day and boarding school for students aged 8 to 19.

Alongside a broad academic curriculum, the school offers courses in dance, acting and musical theatre to learners up to the age of 16.

Sixth Form students are able to study Acting, Musical Theatre and Commercial Music up to age 18 while dancers can take a three-year course, graduating at age 19.