A TALENTED TEENAGER from North Yorkshire is dancing on air after winning a place at a top London performing arts school.

Laurie Scarth, 18, of High Street, Swinton, near Malton, has just begun a three-year BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Programme at Artsed London, Chiswick.

Gifted performer Laurie started ballet and jazz classes at the Kirkham Henry Performing Arts Centre, in Horsemarket Road, Malton, when she was only three years old.

At ten she took up singing and drama, then began competing in festivals and contests at the age of 12.

She has performed at York Theatre Royal and York Opera House, and been a member of Malton and Norton Operatic Society and Ryedale Youth Theatre.

She is now with the Shipton Operatic Society, which is based in York, and took the leading role of Carmen in a recent production of Fame, and played Faftrada in Pippin.

"Fame was brilliant. It was absolutely amazing," said Laurie, who has a sister, Ellie, 11, and brother, Jamie, 21.

"I helped choreograph the show with Lauren Hood from Kirkham Henry and Verity Carr from York."

Laurie has just completed a national diploma in performing arts at the Westwood Centre, part of Yorkshire Coast College, and has taught jazz classes at Kirkham Henry three times a week for three years.

"I really want to work in musical theatre. I'd love to go into any aspect of it. I'd love to be a choreographer or run my own dance school," said Laurie.

Laurie said her mother and father, Richard and Roxane, and teachers Angela Kirkham, Jennie Henry and Ali Kirkham had all been very supportive.

"My parents have been a taxi service and really helped me, but never pushed me to do anything I didn't want to do," said Laurie. "They've just been there when I've needed them."

Updated: 10:46 Wednesday, September 15, 2004