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"When going into the world of Musical Theatre, you always have to grasp every unexpected opportunity that comes your way, such as getting the chance to apply for a new Musical Theatre Bursary at Associated Studios to continue my Drama School training. Having already trained at Associated Studios Australia, I was given the opportunity to move to London to continue my studies at Associated Studios. The Tait Memorial Trust, John Frost AM and Associated Studios have come together to create a bursary to support Australian and New Zealand Musical Theatre performers to train at Associated Studios, and it has been an honour being the inaugural recipient of the Tait John Frost Musical Theatre Bursary.
The training at Associated Studios is invaluable with one-on-one and group vocal training, dance training in various styles, projects, performances and what I found to be the most exciting and enlightening, masterclasses with West End performers and Industry professionals. Being able to further my training with Leontine Hass, Scott Harrison and the wonderful teachers at Associated Studios has helped not only my technique and performance quality, but has also allowed me to find myself as an artist and performer going into this industry and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity given to me to train with them not only in London but also in Australia.
I have had the pleasure and honour of performing with the Tait Memorial Trust at events and concerts over the course of the past year and it has been wonderful meeting other awardees of the Tait Memorial Trust from other areas in the performing arts. The Tait have helped support me through this past year and have been a lovely Australian/New Zealand family while in London. I am blessed to have been welcomed into the Trust and would like to thank Isla Baring, Ross Alley, James Hancock and everyone who I have met for their unwavering support and for giving me the opportunity to follow my passion while in the UK.
Being the inaugural recipient of the Tait John Frost Musical Theatre Bursary has changed my life and I will be forever grateful and thankful to Leontine Hass, Associated Studios, and Isla Baring, Tait Memorial Trust for this blessing and opportunity to further my training and career. To any Australian or New Zealand student looking to further their Musical Theatre career in London, I encourage you to apply for this bursary, and if you have the honour of receiving it, embrace all the opportunities that come your way."
Cathlyn-Rose McKellar
Part-Time Advanced Diploma '24
To become the next recipient of the Tait John Frost Musical Theatre Bursary complete an application through Associated Studios for the 6-month Musical Theatre Course and send across a reference from a teacher with your headshot and cv to info@associatedstudios.co.uk.
You never know, next year this could be you!
