AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
A KEEN dancer with Asperger’s syndrome has earnt himself a place at a prestigious theatre training school.
Liam Burgess has a range of learning difficulties including Asperger’s syndrome, dyslexia and ADHD.
But his passion for theatre has proved nothing can get in the way of his dream.
The 15-year-old’s conditions are a challenge when he is performing, yet his mum Kristel said he pushes through with persistence.
Mrs Burgess, 33, from Walton-on the-Naze, said: “Dyslexia is a big challenge when he is performing and when he has lines to learn it takes him longer.
“But his memory is fantastic and he really pushes himself to learn the routines and has done amazingly well.”
Mrs Burgess said Liam has always loved singing and started taking lessons four years ago.
He then started doing musical theatre at Stagestruck academy in Frinton when he was 13.
Liam has now earned himself a place at the Dance East training centre in Ipswich - despite stiff competition.
Mrs Burgess said: “For him to have been accepted with his little experience and his condition is a really big achievement.
“He is really proud of himself and he loves it.
"He feels he has a family there and he is accepted as just himself, not a child with a condition.”
The school offers intense training three times a week and is funded by the Department for Education.
When the students reach 18, the school helps them find performing arts colleges and it has a 100 per cent success rate in doing so.
Liam, who attends the Market Field School in Elmstead Market, was also successful in winning a scholarship for a term of tuition at the Pineapple Dance Studios in London but was unable to attend as his training days clashed.
He also had a place over the summer at a school workshop for prosthetics and special effects with renowned artist Neill Gorton.
Gary Smith, head teacher of Market Field School, said: "The great part of my job is seeing boys turn into men and Liam would be a prime example of that.
“I’m really proud of him and he is a great ambassador for the school.”
SOURCE: http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/...s_wows_judges_at_prestigious_training_school/
A KEEN dancer with Asperger’s syndrome has earnt himself a place at a prestigious theatre training school.
Liam Burgess has a range of learning difficulties including Asperger’s syndrome, dyslexia and ADHD.
But his passion for theatre has proved nothing can get in the way of his dream.
The 15-year-old’s conditions are a challenge when he is performing, yet his mum Kristel said he pushes through with persistence.
Mrs Burgess, 33, from Walton-on the-Naze, said: “Dyslexia is a big challenge when he is performing and when he has lines to learn it takes him longer.
“But his memory is fantastic and he really pushes himself to learn the routines and has done amazingly well.”
Mrs Burgess said Liam has always loved singing and started taking lessons four years ago.
He then started doing musical theatre at Stagestruck academy in Frinton when he was 13.
Liam has now earned himself a place at the Dance East training centre in Ipswich - despite stiff competition.
Mrs Burgess said: “For him to have been accepted with his little experience and his condition is a really big achievement.
“He is really proud of himself and he loves it.
"He feels he has a family there and he is accepted as just himself, not a child with a condition.”
The school offers intense training three times a week and is funded by the Department for Education.
When the students reach 18, the school helps them find performing arts colleges and it has a 100 per cent success rate in doing so.
Liam, who attends the Market Field School in Elmstead Market, was also successful in winning a scholarship for a term of tuition at the Pineapple Dance Studios in London but was unable to attend as his training days clashed.
He also had a place over the summer at a school workshop for prosthetics and special effects with renowned artist Neill Gorton.
Gary Smith, head teacher of Market Field School, said: "The great part of my job is seeing boys turn into men and Liam would be a prime example of that.
“I’m really proud of him and he is a great ambassador for the school.”
SOURCE: http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/...s_wows_judges_at_prestigious_training_school/
