Lawn Manor Academy pupil Indiana Parsons is moving closer to a glittering career on stage with a number of London performances now under her belt ahead of taking the stage next year in the Voice in a Million Concert at the SSE Arena, Wembley.
The Voice in a Million Concert, which takes place in March 2022, featuring around 5,000 children from school choirs, are singing together to raise awareness of the plight of children in care and the importance of adoption and fostering.
However, Indiana has achieved a coveted place in the stage choir. Indiana was accepted through auditions and she will be part of the choir providing the lead vocals and harmonies for the Mass Choir made up of the participating school choirs.
Despite Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns, Indiana has now successfully appeared on stage twice this year, having recently performed at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End with the Swindon Pauline Quirke Academy and the Hackney Empire with the Jodie Steele Associates Elite Musical Theatre Squad. Indiana takes singing lessons with Janice Thompson of the JTP Trust and Janice has helped her over the years prepare for her performances and singing exams.
As part of these shows, Indiana has spent many weekends travelling to Surrey and Leicester to rehearse. This has given her the unique opportunity to work with professional cast members from iconic West End shows such as Cats, Kinky Boots, Aladdin and with Jodie Steele who has starred as the lead in Wicked, Rock of Ages, Six and Heathers.
Indiana also recently finished third in the Grand Final of Take the Mic UK national singing competition.
Indiana said, “I was thrilled to be able to take part in two performances in the West End recently as this is my goal to perform in musicals on stage for the rest of my life. The chance to perform in front of so many people and make them smile is what I love. I can’t wait to perform in the choir at Wembley Arena in front of all those people.”
Indiana’s father, Paul Parsons, said, “Even from a young age Indiana has wanted to perform and she’s at a point now where she’s preparing for her career. Next year she’s taking her GCSEs in Drama and Dance and after that she’s planning on completing a BTEC in Performing Arts and then going to drama school.
“There’s no stopping Indiana at the moment. She’s a natural on stage and she is determined to pursue a career in musical theatre. She’s incredibly committed to it and seeks out any chance she can.
“She spends a lot of her spare time at lessons and rehearsals and it is great that she is now able to get back on stage. We’re very proud of what she has already achieved and the Voice in a Million stage choir will be a great opportunity for her to experience a professional concert and what it takes to be part of this industry.”
This will be the second time that Indiana has performed at Voice in a Million, having previously performed in the school choir with her primary school seven years ago.
Sandra Muir, headteacher of Lawn Manor Academy, said, “Indiana’s on-stage achievements are very impressive and her dedication to pursuing her dreams, whilst also maintaining excellent results in class, is something to be celebrated. Indiana’s rehearsal schedule for these shows has been demanding, taking up many of her weekends and to balance this with her schoolwork demonstrates many of the values we pride ourselves on in the school, including determination and resilience.
“We are looking forward to seeing Indiana take the stage again next year and to be a shining example to other young people across Swindon and beyond that with determination and hard work, our dreams are within reach.”
