Warwick's own budding West End star

Buy photos » Aimee Matthews has secured a place at the Royal Academy of Music. (s)

A BUDDING West End star of the future from Warwick has secured a place at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music.

Aimee Matthews, stage name Aimee Gray, will study a Postgraduate Diploma in Musical Theatre at the world-famous London academy, starting in September.

The 21-year-old, currently in the final year of her Acting Degree at Birmingham School of Acting, won her place in the face of stiff competition, with places at a premium with the booming interest in musical theatre.

Aimee, who attended Warwick Preparatory School, Kings High School and later Stratford Upon Avon Grammar School for Girls, has long held an ambition to become a successful musical theatre actress.

One of her main influences was her late piano teacher David Wright, former Trinity College of Music examiner, from Barford.

"After several years of playing the piano David finally made it fun and interesting for me by encouraging me to accompany myself whilst I sang, " said Aimee. "I would not have been able to do this without his help and the way that he inspired me. I hope I have made him proud."

As a youngster Aimee was an active member of Playbox Theatre in Warwick and performed in a number of productions including, Annie, High School Musical, and O.U.T spells Out.

She is currently in a lead role in Alexander Ostrovsky's A Family Affair at The Crescent Theatre Birmingham as part of her degree course.

Aimee said she was looking forward to moving to London.

She added: "It will be such an amazing opportunity, it's a dream come true and I can not wait to get started."

While studying Aimee has been working part time in a Kenilworth cocktail bar and also teaching singing at a performing arts school for children in Birmingham to raise money to help cover her fees and living expenses in London.