Co-Educational Day School and Boarding from 0-18 years
Sussex International Study Centre
Newlands School
Eastbourne Road
Seaford, East Sussex
UK, BN25 4NP
Tel: 01323 490000
Tel (Outside UK):
+44 1323 490000
Fax: 01323 898420
E.mail:
registrar@newlands-school.com
enquiries@newlands-school.com
Success for Katie
Newlands School pupil, Katie Champion, has beaten scores of other aspiring artists to win a place at the regional final of UK Idol 2008.
Idol 2008 is a music and dance competition open to singers, vocal groups, dancers and dance groups. UK Idol began in 2006 and had over 10,000 people entering the competition in 2007.
This year, sixteen year old Katie wowed judges with her performance of ‘I’m Outta Love’ by Anastacia ‘ at her audition in Brighton on Sunday 17th August. It was Katie’s first experience of a competitive performance and something she will remember for a long time. Katie said “I don’t think I have ever been so nervous but I really wanted to prove to myself that I could stand up and give it my all”
Katie has been a pupil at Newlands School in Seaford for over thirteen years, having joined the nursery at the tender age of 2. The school, renowned for its teaching expertise in Performing Arts, enables students to follow a performing arts course alongside a core academic timetable.
While Katie has always had a passion for dance, it has only been in the last two years that she has concentrated on developing her singing voice using ‘starvoice’, a unique voice training system devised by Newland’s vocal coach Alex Diepold. Katie’s rendition of ‘What a Feeling’ at the school’s annual Performing Arts Gala in June, was the first time she had sung alone in public. Katie said: “Although I love everything about the performing arts I am not a naturally confident person. Until recently, I use to prefer being at the back of the chorus rather than centre stage. Now though, because of the encouragement and support I have had from my teachers and friends, I can start to believe in myself.”
Katie’s next performance will be at the UK Idol Regional Finals at Hove on Saturday the 27th September. Speaking about the audition, Head of Performing Arts, Jane Pendry said: “ The lovely thing about Katie is that she has the most amazing voice and yet she has only just begun to realise how fantastic she is”
