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Connie Fisher

In September 2006, Connie Fisher won a national contest to star as Maria in a new Andrew Lloyd Webber stage production of 'The Sound of Music'.

The contest, 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?', was televised on the BBC, with Connie winning in a national vote of more than two million people.

Connie won the role after studying at Mountview Academy, a course for which she received a Dance and Drama Award.

She says, "Being awarded a Dance and Drama Award enabled me to realise my ambition. I had three excellent years' training, which prepared me for the highs and lows of the business. Without my training I would never have succeeded.

"Now thanks to Mountview and the support of the Learning and Skills Council I am going to be climbing every mountain at the London Palladium and following my dream".

Jaye Jacobs

Jaye Jacobs could not imagine doing anything but performing, but knows that she couldn't have gone into the profession without the total support of her parents who told her to "go for it!" She now plays Nurse Donna Jackson in BBC1's Holby City.

After attending the Joy Tinney School of Dance in her home town of Bath for ten years, she auditioned for a place at the Arts Educational School in London. Jaye says that she could not have attended the school without the benefit of a Dance and Drama Award, which paid for her fees.

Jaye graduated in July 2003 with a three year National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre. In the first term of 2003, she spent three months appearing in the musical 'Rent' in London's West End at the same time as completing her training course. "It was really hard work, I didn't know whether I was coming or going! But I am so glad that I did it. The experience has prepared me for most things."

Nathaniel Morrison

Since graduating from the Musical Theatre Course at Mountview in April 2005, Nathaniel Morrison has already secured his first professional engagement, playing the legendary Stevie Wonder in the new West End motown show 'Dancing In The Streets'.

"It has been a real whirlwind" explains Nathaniel.

"I was offered an audition for the tour of Dancing In The Streets while I was rehearsing my final show at Mountview, I was then signed by an agent, and was eventually offered the role of Stevie Wonder." The tour proved so successful that it soon moved into the West End, where Nathaniel performed six days a week.

Nathaniel has a real enthusiasm for his work. "I have always wanted to perform in the West End, and my training at Mountview has really prepared me for the business. With help from the Dance and Drama award scheme I have been able to get some fantastic training and fulfil my dream".

Further information

More information about dance and drama students' experiences after they left their training is also available in a booklet that you can download in PDF format.

If you have any further queries about the scheme, contact the Learner Support helpline.

• Contact the Learner Support helpline
• Download Dance and Drama Awards: Exits and Entrances, Students' Stories (PDF, 1012K)
• Help with PDF files