A 16-YEAR-old aspiring dancer is one step closer to achieving her dream career after securing a place at Liverpool Theatre School.

Sutton Academy pupil Heather Gange, was given the chance to train in professional dance at the prestigious performing arts school after impressing the audition panel with her exceptional skills.

Heather, who also LSQ Academy of Dance, has her sights set on becoming a professional performer.

She is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Liverpool Theatre School graduates who have landed roles in hit shows such as Wicked, Les Miserables, The Book of Mormon, Back to the Future the Musical, Tenors of Rock and Blood Brothers.

She said: “I’m so excited about joining Liverpool Theatre School. I’ve been dancing since I was three years old and performing is all I’ve ever wanted to do.

“Luckily, I was able to have a good look around Liverpool Theatre School before lockdown and it was great to meet the teachers and chat to some of the students.

"I knew straight away that I wanted to train there and I was absolutely thrilled to find out I had passed the audition. I can’t wait to get started in September.”

Maxine Ellis, Principal at Liverpool Theatre School, said: “Heather is clearly a very gifted young performer who is well deserving of a place on the professional dance course. She demonstrated natural talent during the audition process and everyone on the panel was extremely impressed by her dancing ability.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming Heather to Liverpool Theatre School when the new academic year begins and I am confident she will enjoy the challenge of high level training as she takes her next steps towards a professional stage career.”

Liverpool Theatre School, based at Liverpool Central Studios, is the only place in the UK to offer professional training that is validated by Trinity College London across all three disciplines of musical theatre, acting and contemporary dance.

The specialist performing arts college, rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted, is also one of just a handful of stage schools to offer the Andrew Lloyd Webber scholarship.