King’s Ely Sixth Form student, Alexandra (Ally) Bowerman, has secured a place at the prestigious Glyndebourne Youth Academy.
Ally, who is in Year 13 and who aspires to be a professional opera singer, is one of only twenty students from across the whole of the UK to be selected for the programme.
Glyndebourne is one of the world’s leading opera houses and its Youth Academy is a classical singing development programme which supports talented young performers aged 14 to 19.
Ally joined King’s Ely Senior in Year 9 and as a member of the Choristers of Ely Cathedral Choir. She is a Sixth Form Ely Cathedral Choral Scholar. Ally also visits the Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama every Saturday to study Voice.
Ally said: “For the Glyndebourne Youth Academy audition process, I went through several phases, starting with a video and after four rounds I ended up in Birmingham where I did an in-person audition, which was full on but fun. I could not believe it when I found out that I had been successful, as hundreds of people auditioned and only twenty people got through. To be one of the twenty makes me feel really proud.”
The Glyndebourne Youth Academy will enable Ally to work with industry professionals to learn about classical music, exploring singing, movement, drama, text and languages. Their team, led by Glyndebourne Vocal Talent Consultant, Mary King, will explore vocal technique with Ally and her peers, and give an insight into what it is like to work in the world of opera and classical singing. There will also be opportunities to talk about Ally’s development as a singer and what further avenues she could pursue.
Ally is studying Music, Drama, and Art and Design for her A-Levels. Those of you who came to see ‘Legally Blonde’ last week will know that Ally starred as Vivienne in the hit musical. She is also Head of our Chapel Choir and Chamber Choir.
Congratulations Ally – a fantastic and thoroughly deserved opportunity!