"Because I was told I couldn’t do it, I was even more determined"

Thursday 24 May 2018

A 16-year-old student whose dream is to sing, dance and act on stage has had to appeal to islanders’ generosity to help it come true as potential grants fall way short of college fees.

Despite being deaf, and so wearing hearing aids in both ears, Jessica Jones has been dancing, singing and acting since she was a child.

It all started when she was only four and begged her mum, Selina, to learn ballet. But it wasn’t enough for the young girl and she then took up tap and modern dance.

Then came the singing and acting lessons. While Selina was told initially not to put Jessica through singing lessions, it all paid off when the little girl got her very first role at only seven, a story teller in 'Cats' with the West End cast. 

“I think that because I was told I couldn’t do it, I was even more determined,” says Jessica. “It took me longer to learn but it got easier over the years.”

Since her first venture on stage, Jessica has performed in various local pantomines, ‘Legally Blonde’  and ‘Priscilla,’ as well as with the Progressive School of Music and Jersey Academy of Dancing. She also received a scholarship for her drama training with Dance Lab.

Jessica is also the youngest member of the Performers agency and is involved in the Battle of Flowers and various charity events. In 2016, Jessica won a gold medal for Jersey in the Dance World Cup. Last year, she started teaching weekly choreography classes for students aged eight to 14 at the Progressive School of Music. 

Since 2014, she has also taken various dancing and singing exams, achieving Distinctions in all of them. "I am determined that being deaf won’t hold me back from achieving my goals, the main one being to pursue a career in Musical Theatre," Jessica says.

Pictured: Jessica's first time on stage was as a story teller in 'Cats.'

In total the young girl spends 15 hours training every week, with the support and encouragement of her teachers. Lately, with GCSE’s looming, her schedule has become even more packed. “it is a bit of juggle to balance lessons and exams but it is all about managing time,” says Jessica. “You have to be using every little time you have, even if it is just rehearsing while in the car. I have had to compromise a lot of activities with friends but it is not a chore to me, I am willing to make the sacrifice.” 

While some teenagers may find it hard to find their calling or decide on which studies to embark on, for Jessica the choice was easily made. Earlier this year she applied to three performing arts colleges in the UK. After several dancing, singing and acting auditions, she got accepted into all three. 

Pictured: Jessica has accepted a place at Bird College, where fellow islander and performer Jonny Labey studied.

She set her heart upon Bird College, where fellow islander Jonny Labey studied. As someone who can act, sing and dance, she felt Bird, where she will receive about eight hours of training daily, was the more suited for her. Jessica explained: “At Bird College, the all-round training is equal. There is an even focus on acting, singing and dancing. They are all developed to an equal standard which is really important to be able to work.” 

 If getting into Bird College seemed like the hardest part, Jessica is now facing another hurdle: funding. With fees standing at around £14,000, Jessica needs a minimum of £7,500 extra in the first year only. While she should receive £9,250 from Student Finance, there is no additional provision for under 18’s who go to college.  

“This creates a shortfall of approximatively £5,000 per year, which the parents are expected to ‘find’,” says Selina. “Furthermore, it has been acknowledged by the Education Department that the maintenance component of the grant fails to cover the actual costs incurred creating another significant shortfall for parents. In total this creates a shortfall of over £10,000.” 

Video: Jessica has put together a video of her various performances to convince people to support her.

 Jessica and Selina have contacted businesses, charities and individuals to find someone who would sponsor Jessica’s studies. After a friend suggested crowdfunding, they decided to set up a page.

So far, they have raised £4,375 out of the £7,500 needed. But that is just for the first year says Selina, they will have to find over £10,000 for Jessica’s second and third years at Bird. “We should be encouraging young people who want to further their education,” says Selina. “Instead of making it a real worry for parents of how they are going to fund the significant shortfall. The new Student Finance proposal will hopefully help more students  who wish to attend university, but it doesn’t take into account students aged between 16 and 18 old who wish to attend college in the UK. If I am unable to raise the shortfall Jessica’s won’t be able to accept her place at Bird College."

For now, the duo remains positive, and focused on GCSE’s for Jessica. While her personal goal is to be in Cats again,  she also has plans for the Eisteddfod where she would like to introduce a category for deaf dancers.

“I want to set a good example,” says Jessica. “I want to show there is no discrimination in performing arts and that anyone can reach their full potential.”