Tell us about yourself.
My name is Rosie Baxter, I've just turned 16 on the 16th of August.
I went to Jubilee Primary School and Ballakermeen High School recently finished GCSE’s where I received a Distinction in Performing Arts and I'm about to start A Levels including Performing Arts.
What clubs, societies and courses have you been involved in on the IOM prior to Urdang and how well do you think that has prepared you for studying dance off island?
- Gena’s Dance Academy, Stage One, Sing Up
- I have participated in productions by Taylorian, Manx Operatic Society, Douglas Choral Union, JT Productions, and Dreamstar since the age of 7
- I've participated in the Guild
- I came 3rd place in the British Classical Sequence Championships and nominated for a British Classique de Dance Awards and received an award for my nomination at the annual ceremony in Southport.
All of the above have helped with my experience with dance and musical theatre over the years. Through my involvement at GDA I have worked towards and undertook some ballet exams in London at the Royal Academy of Dance. Being involved with local theatre companies and having performed on the Gaiety stage many times, has given me the experience of auditioning, rehearsing and performing on stage.
My experiences of arts on the Isle of Man allowed me to feel more confident performing at Urdang. From these experiences I felt well prepared to do some training at a Performing Arts school in London.
What made you choose Urdang?
I took advice from my cousin Perry O’Dea who is a professional West End performer so I was lucky to have first hand advice from an experienced person. Perry gave me several recommendations of schools to apply to with Urdang being the one that suited all my needs of capability and availability . Then through doing my own research it became clear it was a school I wanted to attend because of the standard of performing arts taught there and because of their values.
"At Urdang we believe that everyone is created equal and we do not discriminate against appearance or circumstance. At Urdang, we nurture Everyone, Individual." How important are these values to you?
Urdang’s values including individuality and diversity are very important to me, it is a diverse and multicultural school. I made new friends from all around the country and found all of the teachers supportive of everyone.
How has your IOMAC funding made a difference?
Without it I would not have been able to attend the course as it helped with the course fees, travel, and accommodation all of which do not come cheap in London!
What kind of opportunities have you had since studying at Urdang ?
During the course I was asked to audition for an Associates course which required me to go to London twice a month for a day of training, however this would have proved logistically and financially difficult as I am about to start my A levels
What is next for you?
A levels start for me this week. I am actively looking into further courses at Urdang and other schools in school holiday periods. The level of instruction and high standard of all the performers there really made me raise my game, I feel regular exposure to this level is a key factor to being the best I can be.
Next year I will be starting the audition process for musical theatre schools for higher education. Right now though, I am currently working towards my Advanced 1 Ballet Exam which will take place in London at the Royal Academy of Dance. Above all else, I am working everyday to improve.
