JLS star funds performing arts scholar

 
p35 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Marvin Humes of JLS attends a photocall to launch the new JLS female fragrance 'LOVE' at One Mayfair on January 31, 2013 in London, England.
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15 March 2013
The Weekender

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JLS singer Marvin Humes hopes to discover London’s next superstar by paying for a scholarship at his old school.

Humes, 27, began his career at D&B School of Performing Arts in Bromley aged 10 and has remained friends with its owners, Donna and Bonnie Sullivan.

Together, they are looking for a talented 16-year-old pupil who will win a place on the school’s three-year musical theatre course. Humes, of Greenwich, will pay the teenager’s tuition fees and act as a mentor. He said: “D&B is an incredible place to learn your craft but, like all performing arts schools, it’s not cheap.

“However, this scholarship will provide the opportunity for somebody who may not be able to afford this education to go there. There are not necessarily a lot of grants for performing arts education.

“But really and truly, when you hit 16, if you want to be full time in the arts, you have to study full time. The scholarship will be open to everybody. We will be looking at this on a talent basis. It’s that star quality that we will be looking for.”

Humes, who has appeared on the West End stage in Oliver! and in TV’s Holby City, will help to select the winning applicant as well as acting as their mentor. He said: “I will be bringing 15 years of experience and advice. With JLS, we got to where we are now through belief and determination. We were just four guys who had dreams of being pop stars. We were no different to any other 21-year-old guys.

“We put everything into realising that ambition. I’m really excited to be able to use that experience and knowledge to help at least one person.”

Visit www.dandbperformingarts.co.uk for an application form or call 020 8698 8880 for more information. Applications close at the end of May.

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