Focus on Middleton: Middleton Popstars Academy

Middleton Popstars Academy at the Christmas lights switch on in Middleton

The Middleton Popstars Academy (MPA) started in 1998 by director Anne Marshall and her best friend Grace Mckeown.

They asked young people from Middleton what they would do to raise funds for a Middleton school that had been badly vandalised. The main suggestion which came forward was to hold a showcase event based on the TV show, popstars.

Following the huge success of the day, a day that Ms Marshall says changed her life, young people were keen to meet again and continue with the showcasing which the first event had brought.

With lots of hard work it was decided that those interested would meet once a week at the Middleton Civic Centre. As they say, the rest is history.

Now, MPA is lucky enough to have its own building located on Morton Street in Middleton.

It houses a dance and recording studio, sound booth, meeting room, reception, kitchen and office.

The building began as a run down old unit with no ceiling and rotting wood. It is now an amazing facility with floor to ceiling mirrors in the dance studio, sound studios with state of the art equipment and meeting rooms.

Popstars main objective is to put unity in the community which they achieve through a string of performances through out the year in the community. This year, they have already held 33 performances and have more to come, including the Middleton Christmas Lights switch on and the Prestwich lights switch on.

Grace Mckeown, sadly passed away, but it is clear she is very missed and her memory will forever live on.

Middleton Popstars Academy offers its students singing lessons, dance lessons as well as opportunities in makeup, drama, costume design and media. However it is a non for profit community group open to all no matter of ability or disability.

Ms Marshall said: “I know it can be hard for families when it comes to finances, and when something has got to give it is usually the kids activities, and I feel for the parents that have to make that choice, it is affordable for people that want to perform.”

The academy runs through fundraising and grants from various organisations including BBC Children in Need, the National Lottery and some local authority help.

“I must thank all the funders, and the people who believed and still believe in the centre,” said Ms Marshall.

Speaking about the group’s highlights, Ms Marshall said: “I don’t know if I could pick an individual highlight there have been so many, I suppose one thing was when we went down to BBC Children in Need and we watched the video about popstars live in the studio – that was an emotional time for me, the film the kids had made was poignant – and they really enjoyed being there and being in the audience and they all had a giggle when Terry Wogan and Fern Cotton interviewed me.”

Some of the young people involved have been at MPA since the very beginning, starting when they were 11 years old. Ms Marshall explained that they have been a big part in setting up the youth forum. Now 21 years old they play a big part in running Popstars and working closely with the younger members.

Ms Marshall isn’t really sure, she ever thought the academy would be where it is now, she said: “To be honest it was one of those things to prove a point I never imagined to be where I am today.”

A prime question, a centre like this is often asked is “Are there any success stories,” Ms Marshall said the success is the place itself.

When asked what the future holds, Ms Marshall said: “I am positive popstars will still be here, I will still be involved, it will still be part of the community and still house children that need to be housed.”