10-year-old Taylor from Thornbury was selected for an exciting opportunity – to be one of 15 young people taking part in the Children In Need choir this year as part of the BBC’s live show on Friday 14th November.  Taylor is a pupil at The Inspire Arts Trust who run BALPA (Bristol Academy of Live Performing Arts) which provides classes and lessons for students aged 2 – 18.  The Inspire Arts Trust receive partial funding from Children In Need and so were approached as to whether they had anyone who could be a part of the choir and Taylor was suggested, interviewed and then given this amazing opportunity.  This is Taylor’s story:

 

Taylor has been a student at BALPA for 5 years now.  “My confidence was really low when I started singing at BALPA.  When I went on stage my legs would start to shake because I had stage fright and I would go on and start to sing, but now as I go up and sing more, I have built more confidence,” says Taylor.  Taylor’s Dad says, “Just the difference in him standing up in front of people and even giving him the confidence just to go out, even when we go out on days out.  He’s got no fear of talking to anyone now.  We’re just all really proud of him.”  Zoe Wickham, who is the General Manager for The Inspire Arts Trust says, “It’s so amazing to see how far Taylor has come in his journey and we are so proud of him being selected for the Children In Need Choir.  It’s not just Taylor though, we work with around 200 children a week and many of them have stories like Taylors, or have overcome other difficult situations.  We just love helping children grow in confidence through the performing arts and seeing what they can achieve.”

 

Taylor had an amazing time at the BBC filming and being on the live Children In Need show and this is what he has said after, " The whole experience has been amazing, I have had a really good time doing it"

 

As well as Taylor being in the choir, The Inspire Arts Trust went to Taylor’s school Gillingstool, to run dance workshops with the children in each year group so they could perform a large dance piece all together.  Headteacher Lauren Edwards said, “What an incredible experience for our children and the children from New Siblands School to get together, encompassing all our values and put on an amazing piece to raise awareness of such a brilliant cause.”  Inspire also held a watch party where other families could come and watch Taylor on their big screen and where BBC Points West came and broadcasted live from on Friday evening’s news, held a Pudsey colour competition and raised over £150 for Children In Need through a bake sale!

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Taylor’s Story was featured on BBC Points West - you can watch it by clicking here.

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General Manager Zoe Wickham was on BBC Radio 2 - Ten To The Top -

Listen now as she takes on the BBC 2 music quiz Ten to the Top by clicking here.

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BBC Point West live viewing party at BALPA - you can watch it by clicking here.

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Taylor's Story on BBC Children In Need - watch it by clicking here.

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BBC Children In Need choir featuring Taylor - click here to watch.

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