Swindon pupil gets closer to stardom with West End appearances

Having already performed in London, Lawn Manor Academy's Indiana Parsons will be taking part in the Voice in a Million Concert next year.

The Voice in a Million Concert will take place in March 2022 at the SSE Arena, Wembley.

Alongside Indiana, the concert will feature around 5,000 children from school choirs singing together to raise awareness of the plight of children in care and the importance of adoption and fostering.

The Lawn Manor Academy student 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 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 says Janice has helped her to prepare for her performances and singing exams over the years.

As part of these shows, Indiana has spent many weekends travelling to Surrey and Leicester to rehearse. This has given her the opportunity to work with professional cast members from 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.

She 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.”