A lineup of stellar musical theatre performances has helped propel Stockton Riverside College students Claudia and Chelsea into the spotlight.

The pair are now off to study dance at Addict Dance Academy in Leicester with ambitions of a future career on the stage.

Claudia, 19, said: “I cried when I got my place, it was the best feeling in the world.  It is a hard dance college to get into and so this is a fantastic opportunity for me.”

Chelsea, 18, added: “Addict Dance Academy was my first choice. To get my place felt surreal and amazing, I wasn’t expecting this at all.”

Officially picking up their level 3 qualifications in musical theatre today, dance has always been a passion for Claudia and Chelsea.

“I got into it when I was three and have loved it ever since,” said former Education Village pupil Claudia. “Studying musical theatre at Stockton Riverside College has made me a triple threat with singing, dancing and acting.”

Chelsea, a former pupil at High Tunstall College of Science, said: “Over the last two years I have grown in confidence and my friends and teachers have supported me every step of the way, helping me grow into the person that I am today.”

Claudia and Chelsea were also among three students selected to share an award from the Cecil Yuill Foundation Scholarship at Stockton Riverside College’s annual awards ceremony this summer.