A TALENTED Uttoxeter teenager is one step closing to achieving her dream after being accepted into a prestigious music school.
Maisy Hepburn, of Heathfield Road, has beaten competition from across the country to win a place at Chetham’s School of Music, in Manchester, starting in September.
The Thomas Alleyne’s High School pupil, who is currently in the middle of her GCSE’s, has also been offered accommodation at the school after undergoing nine months of auditions, open days and interviews to win her place.
The teenager has become a favourite in Uttoxeter after performing at the town’s jubilee concert and starring in Charles Dicken’s classic A Christmas Carol at Stoke’s Regent Theatre.
She said: “It is really exciting. It has not sunk in yet as I had a chemistry exam the next day and when I got home I had a huge package from them which we have been reading through.
“I have only just found out about the accommodation and it will be fully funded.
“I am quite nervous but I think I am ready for it. I am really happy as I didn’t expect it. I had come to terms with staying at Alleyne’s so it was a real shock but a good shock.
“The audition process was intense which is why I think it was a shock. Each time I went back I felt like I was getting closer. I think Manchester is the right place to be as it is a hive of activity.” When she starts at the school, the 16-year-old’s day will consist of four hours of music lessons, then studying for her other A-levels and practice in the evenings.
Maisy added: “It is really intense but I am so passionate about music. Acting is also something I love and the school is hugely supportive of this as they know not everyone goes into music.
“I am keeping my options open.” Her equally delighted mother, Mandy, said Maisy had put in a lot of hard work into getting her place.
She said: “Because it is so prestigious, places are few and far between so to get in is absolutely fantastic.
“She did not know anything about the school until her music teacher Karen Ratcliffe told her about it. She worked hard with Maisy to get her ready with a lot of practice.
“A lot of praise has to go to Karen. Maisy is over the moon. They told her a few weeks back she had got a place but they didn’t know whether she had accommodation.
“What is great about the school is they are not bothered if you have money or not, they go on talent.
“A lot of experts will be looking at them so hopefully she is in the right place.
“Half of me was thinking she would be at home for another year and this was a real wake-up call as she is going to be living in Manchester.
“It is a big thing but they look after them there and I have every confidence in her.”
