TALENTED teenager Georgia Ham has won a place at the world's oldest theatre arts training school.
The 17-year-old, of Dunswell, is heading for London's prestigious Italia Conti Academy after bouncing back from the disappointment of having to turn down an initial offer of a place there.
She said: "I went last year and auditioned to go on a three-year performing arts diploma.
"I was offered a place but had to turn it down because I could not get the funding.
"It was very disappointing at the time, because the audition had gone so well, but I was determined to get a place there eventually."
Undeterred, she returned for another audition for the same course in March and was again accepted.
But this time, she was also successful in securing one of the academy's scholarship grants.
She said: "The second audition went well and a few people remembered me from before. When I found out I had been awarded a place, I literally danced around the room. I was that happy.
"The grant covers 50 per cent of the cost of doing the course.
"I have find the rest myself."
With an £8,000 target to aim at, the former Cottingham High School pupil is currently busy fundraising before the start of the course in September.
Tomorrow, she is staging a fundraising show at Hull's Northern Academy for the Performing Arts (Napa), where she has been a pupil for the past eleven years.
"The show will feature a lot of my friends from Napa.
"I've had such a great time there over the years and this is an opportunity to show what we can all do.
"As well as song and dance numbers, there will also be a raffle and a bake sale.
"All the proceeds will be going towards funding my time on the course."
Georgia, who specialises in ballet, tap and modern dance, has been performing since she was just two years old.
"I love dancing and singing and can't really imagine myself doing anything else."
Two years ago she took a leading role in the Napa production of Billy Elliot at Hull New Theatre.
She is eventually hoping to pursue a full-time career on the stage.
" I would love to appear in the West End, on the cruise ships or a something like a Disney production.
"I haven't really got a role model.
"Without wanting to sound big-headed, I just want to be me and to be as good as I can be."
Tomorrow's fund-raising show at Napa in Anlaby Road, city centre, starts at 7pm.
Tickets cost £7 and are available on the door.
For more details call NAPA on 01482 310690.
