A KNIGHTSWOOD pupil has urged boys looking to become performers to apply for free classes and workshops.

Kieran Lynch, who is going into his sixth year at Knightswood Secondary, has attended the MGA Academy’s junior school for 10 years.

The 17-year-old said the training at the programme helped prepare him for professional roles with Disney and as part of the UK tour of the musical Oliver and the star-studded show Tonight From The West End.

MGA run a free “boys’ scholarship week” later this month and Kieran urged other young people to apply.

He told the Post: “The MGA Academy provides a high quality of all-round training and give you the drive needed to be successful in the industry.

“They already do a lot to encourage boys into performing arts and there is a good proportion of boys on courses there. Boys’ scholarship week is an excellent way of encouraging even more boys to train towards a great industry.”

The programme, for boys aged 14 and older, is for anyone interested in a career in performing arts and runs from July 24 to 28 to get more young men into the industry.

The boys’ scholarship week will give tricks fo the trade from tutors and staff at the MGA Academy in Edinburgh, founded by choreographer Murray Grant. He has previously performed in professional musical theatre, opera, and cabaret productions in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and Vienna, said organisers.

He said they would welcome any boys from Clydebank or north-west Glasgow, like Kieran, to join them.

Murray said: “I wanted to organise a project like this to give boys the opportunity to come along and meet others that share the same interests whilst learning more about acting, dancing and singing.

“Many of our male graduates have gone onto great things, with Thomas Doherty now working for Disney and Fergal McGoff performing in London’s West End.

“When I was growing up, I was always the only boy in drama classes and I wish opportunities like boys’ scholarship week had been available then. It is completely free to attend but places are limited and must be booked in advance.”

Call 0131 466 9392 or email murray@themgaacademy.com.