Talented teen Rebekah in running for award

Talented singer and dancer Rebekah Grace Summerhill has been put forward for a Young Performer Award for her passion and commitment to performing arts.

The 14-year-old, from Lisle Road, South Shields, has been performing with the Starset Theatre stage school, in East Boldon, since the age of seven and has appeared in many productions.

Last year, the Year 9 pupil at Harton Technology College started entering singing competitions and has made it to the finals of Britain’s Got Variety, Find Your Voice and the dancing section of Beyond the Light.

Proud mum Karen Dixon said she hopes her daughter’s commitment to the arts will launch a career in the West End.

Rebekah has already had lead roles in shows at The Customs House in South Shields – including Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella.

Karen said: “I am so proud of her. There are not enough hours in the day to fit everything in!

“She goes to Sunderland dance school Dance Jam and has been all over the UK for competitions with them. She has won many awards with her team and she has also qualified for The UDO world street dancing competition in Glasgow this summer.

“It is what she wants to do as a career, as she loves dancing and singing and she can act. The hours she puts in are tremendous. She is really hard-working.”

The youngster, who takes singing lessons with Vocal Ovation, impressed Best of South Tyneside judges last year when she gave up her choice of song for fellow performer Hope Swan, who was due to sing the same one as Rebekah.

At the last minute Rebekah swapped to Everything I know from musical The Heights so Hope could sing the song she had prepared.

Karen said: “ She is one of those people that would do anything for anybody.”