A Bridgwater & Taunton College student won the opportunity of a lifetime to perform alongside West End and Broadway star Kelly Ellis at the Bristol Hippodrome.

Taila Halford, who studies Performing Arts at the College, entered a competition on Instagram by uploading a video of herself singing. She was selected by Kerry as the winner and invited to perform with her the following week. Kerry is recognised as the First Lady of West End musicals. She originated the role of Meat in ‘We Will Rock You’ and was the first British Elphaba in the West End smash, Wicked. She has also achieved chart-topping success as a recording artist and taken leading roles in Oliver!, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon and Les Miserables.

Taila said,

“It was such an incredible insight into the industry I’m hoping to go in to. I spent the day at the Hippodrome with the professional singers and watching their rehearsals before meeting Kerry and rehearsing with her and the band. She was really complimentary about my singing and gave me loads of advice on the industry. It was amazing!”

Rachel Evans, Course Leader, added,

“The Performing Arts team are incredibly proud of Taila; to win this competition at such an early stage of her career is a testament to her talent and dedication to her studies. Before she started studying with us, Taila had never had a singing lesson and through her sheer hard work and commitment she has achieved places at prestigious Musical Theatre and Drama Schools. We can’t wait to see how her career progresses in the industry.”

Taila, previously from The Kings of Wessex Academy, aspires to become a Musical Theatre performer, so this experience has ensured that she has gained a real taste of her future dreams. You can catch Taila performing as Velma Kelly in the College’s upcoming production of ‘Chicago’ at the McMillan Theatre from 12 – 14 June. Tickets are available from www.mcmillantheatre.com or from the Box Office on 01278 556677.