AN autistic teenager with a passion for singing will perform a song about bullying at a national variety show in London.
Alice Jordan, from Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, will take to the stage at the Mermaid Theatre on Saturday, May 10, as part of Autism’s Got Talent.
The 14-year-old will sing You Won’t Hurt Me Anymore, a heartfelt song she wrote about putting the pain of bullying behind her.
She is one of just 18 acts from across the UK and beyond to have been selected for the event, which attracts an audience of around 650 people.
It is a dream come true for Alice, who struggled to communicate for years before finally finding her voice with the help of Steve Metcalfe, of Music Junction Studio, in Newton Aycliffe.
“I am really excited about it but I am a bit nervous too,” said Alice “I wanted to sing this song as it is very special to me.”
Alice will be accompanied on stage by 19-year-old Leo Williams, an accomplished pianist from Guisborough.
Mr Metcalfe set up Music Junction Studio last year and is now launching a charity, TheCreativeDreamWorks, to help more talented young people pursue their musical dreams.
He said he was thrilled to see Alice get the recognition she deserves, adding: “Alice has come so far in the last year and has so much talent for someone so young.”
Alice’s family and her teachers at Glendene Special School in Peterlee are also thrilled at her progress.
Autism’s Got Talent is organised by the national autism charity Anna Kennedy Online and is supported by Pineapple Performing Arts School.
It aims to showcase the “diverse and superb” talents of people on the autistic spectrum.
Charity founder Anna Kennedy OBE said: “It is all too often said that people with disabilities aren’t capable of very much, and they are unable to rise above the challenges they face.
“Autism’s Got Talent is a platform for talented individuals with autism to wow the audience and show off their skills.”
Donations are now being sought to help pay for further voice and stage presence coaching sessions for Alice ahead of the concert.
For more information contact info@musicjunctionstudio.com or visit alice-jordan.co.uk To book tickets for Autism’s Got Talent contact Lisa.robins@thevines.org.uk
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