Sarah Covey, is taking time out from her busy schedule in the West End musical, We Will Rock You, to return to her home town and sing in a special gala performance.

Students from the Janice Thompson Performance Trust are celebrating with a 10th anniversary Gala Concert at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre on Sunday, July 6.

Joining the singers will be special guests from the Lydiard Park Academy Community Singers, Swindon Young Musicians Youth Choir and the Haydonleigh Junior School Choir and the programme will include extracts from Brunel; The Little Man In The Tall Hat and Swindon The Opera.

Janice is the artistic director of the Trust, which she set up as a vocal educational charity offering singing and performance classes to children and young people as well as adult workshops and events.

Her own music studio is much in demand in Swindon and she delivers a relaxed style of tutoring, having studied the Alexander Technique, suited both to singers who want to make music their career, and those who just enjoy the pleasure of singing.

Janice attended the Royal Academy of Music in London and many of her students have followed in her footsteps including Sarah.

Janice said: “Sarah started with me in the Friday Girls Ensemble when she was 15-years-old, and went on to win a coveted place on the Musical Theatre course at the Royal Academy. And now as understudy to Killer Queen in We Will Rock You she has often been required to step into the top West End role at short notice. ‘’ Sarah was Supreme Champion in the Swindon Music Festival in 2006 and 2008, became a member of SALOS, and fronted a pop band called Aspheric.

Her musical versatility showcases the JTP Trust’s aims for its students and Janice’s tailored tuition to suit her pupils.

Sarah is not the only former JTP Trust student returning for the gala concert, as Polly Leech, the mezzo soprano, who played Diana Dors in Swindon the Opera, will be appearing and Jordan Ginger, who is an Arts Educational Graduate and former principal in a number of the Summer Youth Projects.

The 10th anniversary Gala Concert takes place from 7.30pm and tickets are £12.50 and £10 concessions from 01793 524481. - Flicky Harrison