Young performers win scholarships at Mansfield’s Ghost Academy

The Ghost Academy has offered six places on its two year extended diplomas in performing arts or music to mark its first year with The Stage Scholarships Scheme.

The value to each winner in tuition is £13,200, or nearly £80,000 in total.

Isaac Hallas, 16 from Ollerton Village, Maria Fernanda Cooling, aged 19 from Sherwood Pines, and 15-year-old, Mansfield-based Chelsea Overton, were winners of the music diploma. The programme focuses on practical performance skills with the chance to study composition, theory and harmony, plus improvisation music technology and business skills.

Isaac, whose dad died when he was only six, said: “I knew music was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. After going through so much when I was young, I feel that I have to grasp every opportunity.

“I am so thrilled to have won a bursary to study at Ghost where I will receive expert tuition and encouragement.”

Isaac started playing guitar aged nine. It wasn’t long afterwards that he joined his first group, and when he was 12 his band won a school battle of the bands competition.

Georgia Hooley, 16 , 18-year-old Ella Rainford, 18, and Lisa Wallett, aged 18, won scholaships the performing arts dance course.

Alongside her enthusiasm for gymnastics, Georgia has already been studying street dance at Ghost.

Georgia said: “I was so happy when I found out about the scholarship, I just wouldn’t have been able to afford to go otherwise,”

“I’ve always wanted to dance since a young age, it’s such a great opportunity.”