Amy’s journey at Performers College Birmingham is a testament to her lifelong passion for dance and performance. Amy’s path has been marked by dedication, growth, and embracing new opportunities.
A Lifelong Passion Takes Flight
When I was a little kid, I couldn’t sit still. I was always dancing around the living room, so my mum found a local ballet school in the newspaper. I went along, quickly signed up for every class they offered, and as the years went by, I took on more and more. The rest, as they say, is history.
Summer School and Pre-Vocational Course at Essex Campus
My journey to Performers College Birmingham began at their Essex campus. During my sixth form summer, I attended their summer school and loved every moment. I’d never worked so hard or sweated so much, but that was exactly what I wanted for my training. I auditioned and jumped at the chance when I was offered a place on their pre-vocational course.
Birmingham: A City of Opportunities
When the Birmingham campus was announced while we were at Essex, they asked us which we would prefer. I said I didn’t mind, but it was a massive shock when I was actually given Birmingham. At first, I was unsure, especially when my roommate at the time got Essex, but I’m so glad it worked out this way. Being part of the first graduating year, we’ve had our voices heard and were able to shape the college in a way that simply wouldn’t be possible in an already established institution.
Settling into Birmingham
Moving to Birmingham was a big change. Back home, I’m from a small village, and the Essex campus is also in a small village where you have to drive everywhere. Moving into a big city and being in the centre of everything has been amazing. I love being close enough to walk to college every day, and I also head into the Bullring on my lunches to visit the largest Primark in the world! The nightlife is buzzing every night of the week, and there are so many clubs and courses outside of college. I’ve found many little communities and made lifelong connections just by having the confidence to try new things.
World-Class Facilities and Industry Connections
One of the best things about Performers College Birmingham is its fantastic facilities. It has six large dance studios you can book, as well as other smaller acting and singing ones. This has been super helpful, especially in my third year, for everything from extra rehearsal space to assessment practice, audition prep, and even self-tape filming.
Professional Opportunities
The real highlight of my time here has been the incredible opportunities. In my first year, we had the chance to audition to work with Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) and create a piece for Birmingham Dance Festival. We got to work with two incredible creatives, Patsy Browne-Hope and now principal dancer Lachlan Monaghan. We had a huge amount of input into the creative process and were treated as individual artists. The project was such a success that BRB now has regular curtain raisers by local youth companies. We’ve even been invited back by Carlos Acosta, BRB’s artistic director, himself – a huge honour!
Beyond the Curriculum: Nurturing Individual Talents
The college has also supported me in pursuing my passions beyond the curriculum. In my first and second year, they partnered with the West Midlands Circus Centre to offer optional enrichment classes in aerial arts. I now take regular classes in silks and trapeze. Last Christmas, I even performed and choreographed my first ever silks routine in a student showcase. Now, I’m considering applying for dancer-aerialist roles on cruise ships.
Personalised Support and Teaching Aspirations
What I love most about Performers College Birmingham is how they treat us as individuals. All the teachers know us by name and are very good at making accommodations where necessary. They’ve supported me not just in my performance goals, but also in my teaching aspirations. Alongside studying, I’ve been teaching at a local dance school and studying for my DDE (teaching qualification) in tap through college.
Advice for Future Students
To anyone thinking of applying, I’d say definitely try to visit in person if you can, to get a feel for not just the college, but the city it’s situated in as well. Most importantly, if you’re passionate about a creative career, go for it.There is so much work out there, and creative, passionate people will always find a way. Don’t let anybody tell you that you’re not good enough or you’ll never make it. There’s only one you, and you’ll find your niche at Performers College Birmingham.”
As Amy reflects on her time at Performers College Birmingham, she appreciates not only the outstanding facilities and professional opportunities but also the supportive community that nurtured her individual talents. Looking ahead, Amy encourages aspiring performers to follow their passion and take bold steps towards their creative dreams, at Performers College Birmingham.
