Case studies - Danielle Bird
Danielle Bird is a ten year old sports mad, music loving girl from Basildon in Essex. She has appeared in adverts, modelled in magazines and she also plays sports for her county.
What activities do you do during the week?
I play netball for Robins Netball Club. My position is centre. I also swim, have music lessons, singing lessons and horse ride and I run in the district sports for my school.
What level have you reached with your sports and music?
I have passed several exams in dancing tap, ballet, modern, jazz and music theatre. I won pendants in butterfly and freestyle at the Essex County Swimming Finals and took part in lots of national and regional league galas. I have taken some LAMDA exams in drama. I am grade 4 in singing and grade 2 on the piano. I have my grade 3 music theory and that's the part of music I find the hardest. I love writing songs the best and then playing the piano trying to find a tune to match with the words.
How old were you when you took your first music exam?
I was 6 years old.
You've also appeared in a lot of adverts and magazines – what other things have you done?
I was a child model from the age of 1 to 4 and then I went to Sylvia Young’s Agency at the age of 4 and was lucky enough to get some good parts from the age of 4 to 8. I did some commercials for DFS, McDonalds, Ikea, George at Asda and The Sound Of Music CD. I had a part in two films and was chosen to take part in the pilot of Britain’s Got Talent, which meant I spent 3 days filming with Simon Cowell and his team which was a great experience. I really enjoyed making radio commercials and doing voice overs and I spent time at the BBC working with one of the teams playing Gretel in The Sound of Music. I did nice things with Sylvia Young’s school like being a superhero for Comic Relief and I had parts on the Disney Channel and appeared on GMTV.
I also won Pick Me Up Magazine’s Star Of Tomorrow. All these things taught me a lot about taking direction and instructions and sometimes you need that in life. I once travelled to Hollywood to take part in the England Dance team festival and that was when I was 6 and before I got into sport too.
But I try hard at school as well. I am in year 5 now and doing a lot of work in preparation for my 11 plus exam.
I like the feeling of achieving something. For example I helped to raise £13,000 for the Tsunami appeal by performing in an event and then I got a letter from the Chairman at Basildon Council and I did a lot of charity singing for St Lukes Hospice where my lovely Nan died. It made me feel a bit less sad as I felt like I was helping.
Which do you prefer – sport or the arts?
That's a hard question because I love them BOTH! But I would say netball and singing are my favourite things.
Is it hard to fit all this in after a day at school?
I don't swim quite as much now as it is really hard to keep up with all the training as well as netball practice. I do get tired but I always go to bed early and don't leave homework for the next day or I get behind.
What do you hope to be when you leave school?
Half of me wants to be a singer and the other half of me wants to be a vet as I love animals and studying so um, I’m not sure. Maybe a singing vet, haha!
Who has helped you to shine?
That’s easy – my mum. She is a single mum and works so hard so I can have my lessons and she is always there to encourage me and give me a cuddle!
At school there’s Miss Kilroy the netball coach, Miss Hampel my music teacher, Mrs McIntosh the Drama teacher, Miss Harris the Swimming coach and Mr Hampshire the running teacher plus the Headteacher Mrs Sue Jackson who encourages and supports everything I do. They are all amazing people.
Teachers and coaches outside of school that have helped train and encourage me in sport and music from a young age are: Claire Clarke, Cathy Edkins, Dave Cook , Mary Martin ,Amanda Jones, Jon Pearse, Miss Becky and Miss Jenny at Harlequin Dance School, Janette Ruocco Essex Training Choir and Ray Lamb at Sylvia Youngs.
What do you think about the Shine festival of talent? How do you think adults and teachers help young people to 'shine'?
I think if a mum and dad or teacher can see a child might be good at something they should try to help them join a club or something to help them get even better. I have been very lucky to have a caring mum and teachers who have all helped me.
What advice would you give another young person hoping to do what you're doing?
To work hard. Not to worry about rejection or not achieving everything first time. You don't have to be the best but you can be the best YOU can be… if you know what I mean! Believe in yourself and try at lots of things and always be supportive to all your friends when they try things. Brownies taught me a lot about that and not being selfish. My school encourages us all to try many things so I would say join as many school clubs as possible because you never know if you like something until you try it.
