Student in the spotlight after university success - Quest Media Network

Simeon Barrow

A student at Clarendon Sixth Form College has realized his dream of studying at a prestigious London Conservatory.

Simeon Barrow, a performing arts college student and a former Copley Academy student, has accepted a place at Bird College of Dance and Musical Theatre.

Bird College is one of the most prestigious performing arts conservatories in the UK, with alumni including Melanie C, John Partridge and Lara Pulver. The college has state-of-the-art facilities and dance studios and is known for producing many West End stars.

Simeon, who has had a passion for dance for most of his life, took part in an extensive interview and audition process in London. After completing a two-hour dance class closely observed by Bird College staff, Simeon was interviewed and then performed a self-choreographed piece.

As well as studying at Clarendon Sixth Form College, Simeon trains up to seven days a week at Kirsten’s Dance School in Mossley and dance group Company Chameleon.

Once he graduates from Bird College, Simeon hopes to become a cruise ship performer, then move to the West End and one day open a dance school to pass on the skills he’s learned throughout his career.

Simeon said: “I am very grateful and excited for this opportunity. Bird College is where I wanted to study and I felt like I had to get into it to achieve what I wanted to achieve. Michelle, my teacher, was really supportive and helped me a lot with the theoretical side of the dance; Muscle movement, applying to a conservatory, choreography, etc. I can’t wait to start the next step in my career in September.”

Michelle Forrest, performing arts teacher at Clarendon Sixth Form College, said: “Simeon has worked extremely hard, both during and outside of college, to improve his skills and develop as a performer. He fully deserves this tremendous achievement and I hope he will have a very successful career in the future. Well done Simeon.”

Simeon isn’t the only student at Clarendon Sixth Form College who has found recent success in the industry. Fellow dancer Nic Lee joins the National Youth Dance Company in 2022. To find out more about performing arts courses at Clarendon Sixth Form College visit www.clarendon.ac.uk or call 0161 908 6600.