AN aspiring South Lakeland actress has received personal tuition from one of musical theatre's biggest stars.

Tyla-Jane Fairer, 19, from Grange-over-Sands, was among a group of students from The MGA Academy of Performing Arts in Edinburgh who took part in a masterclass with Kerry Ellis.

After graduating, the former Dallam School, Milnthorpe, pupil hopes to emulate the successful career of Ellis, who is famous for appearing in shows such as Wicked, Cats and We Will Rock You on Broadway and in London's West End.

Tyla-Jane, who recently started second year of an HND Musical Theatre qualification at The MGA Academy, met Ellis during a workshop organised by Beyond Broadway Productions.

She said: “I’ve always been a fan of musical theatre since I was little. I grew up watching musicals and did drama at school as well as the Grange-over-Sands local pantomime productions when I was younger. I realised that I would like to do musical theatre as a career.

“The experience with Kerry Ellis was really good. I learned so much from her, such as how the smallest little things can affect your performance. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet someone with her background - she’s so experienced. We met her after the workshop and she was so down-to-earth and lovely - she made me want to aspire to be her. The best advice she gave us, I think was: “You should enjoy what you do”.

“My main goal when I graduate from MGA is to audition to work with Disney. I would eventually like to be in a touring company, performing West End shows but travelling with the show.”