Talented Bishopston Resident Prepares for Prestigious Performing Arts College

A former student from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College is preparing to depart from Bristol and embark on a new journey in Liverpool; to study at the prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA).

After spending the last five months in Asia travelling, Leah Downey has now returned to England to embark on another new journey, university life.

The 20 year old from Bishopston, completed a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at the College back in 2011. She dreamt of going to LIPA but instead of applying Leah decided to take a gap year to gain some real life experience and see the world.

Before she left the country Leah applied to undertake a degree in Theatre and Performance Design and was delighted when she received the news that she had been accepted.

Co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty, The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts opened in 1996 to forge a new approach to performing arts training.

Leah comments: “I am really excited about starting university. Since undertaking the art course at SGS I knew I wanted to do something creative and this course is the perfect opportunity to do so. I have never been 100% sure of what I wanted to do as a career and I would like to thank my tutor for pointing me in the right direction. The course itself was great as it let me express myself freely which enabled my creativity to flow.”