Jade sets her sights on stardom

Oakwood Technology College student Jade Wilkinson wowed the judges at Sheffield City Hall with her rendition of On My Own, a song from the smash hit stage musical Fame, at the regional heats of Open Mic UK.

Now she has set her sights on getting through the regional finals which will take place in front of a packed audience at the same venue on September 25.

The excited teenager, who has cut her performing teeth as a member of Rotherham Teachers’ Student Academy, said: “I know that becoming a professional singer is unlikely. It’s a dream really but I’d love to achieve that and I’m going to give it my best.”

Jade, of Whiston, has performed on stage on numerous occasions and has even travelled to EuroDisney to perform on stage as part of the Teachers’ group.

Late last year she proved a hit in Oakwood’s production of Bugsy Malone.

Teacher Russ Wood said: “I’m no music teacher but it’s clear that Jade has a fantastic talent.”

Open Mic UK saw almost 9,000 acts making a bid for musical fame in 2010.

Finalists in the competition travel to the O2 Arena in London to perform alongside established acts in the competition’s Grand Final.

The eventual winners stand the chance of winning a recording contract as part of £50,000 worth of prizes.

Jade admitted that she was excited but said that she was not pinning all her hopes on musical success.

She said: “I’d love to be a singer but I have a few back-up plans. I enjoy studying psychology and Spanish at school and I’d like to go into law eventually.”