Two talented young people have become the first to benefit from a bursary fund established as a legacy of Island of Culture 2014.

The bursary fund has been created by the Isle of Man Arts Council, part of the Department of Education and Children, which ran the year of cultural celebrations.

The fund will support excellence in the arts, aiding young people with their studies.

Geoff Corkish MBE MLC, chairman of the Arts Council, today announced that Florence Wood and Melanie Chandler have become the first recipients.

Florence joined Ramsey Town Band at seven, learning the cornet. She graduated from the junior to the senior band at 10. She won a music scholarship to study at King William’s College and is working towards a grade six exam on cornet and grade eight – the highest grade – at singing.

In both 2010 and 2011, Florence gained a place in the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain, attending summer courses and playing alongside the National Youth Brass Band at the annual brass festival at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. Last year she was invited to play with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland Reserves and she will attend a summer course with the band this year.

While working towards her Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, Florence is helping to teach beginners at Ramsey Town Band and is enjoying helping younger people to make music and giving something back to the community.

Melanie Chandler joined Christine Wild Theatre School at eight and developed a love for ballet. At nine she started ballroom lessons with Jayne Hill School of Dance, which she continued in conjunction with ballet until she reached 16.

By then she was involved in musical theatre and was participating in shows at the Gaiety Theatre with Douglas Choral Union and Taylorian Productions.

At 18, Melanie obtained a place at Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre to study musical theatre and teaching for three years. She graduates this July and will be qualified to teach ballet, modern and Latin dance. She hopes to make a career in performing but return to the Island to teach at some stage.

Mr Corkish said: ‘The bursary will allow us to further develop the talents of gifted young people, of whom the Island boasts so many, making their name in the wider world and acting as ambassadors for us.

‘The Arts Council sees this as investment in the individuals who attract the bursary and in the reputation of the Isle of Man as a whole. Fostering involvement in arts and culture raises our quality of life and makes the Isle of Man an inviting, interesting and stimulating place to live, work and visit.’

To apply for a bursary, complete the application form at www.iomarts.com (see ‘downloads’) or email jan.cowan@gov.im or ring 694596 for a form.

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