Amy Winehouse Foundation funds performing arts scholarship

The Amy Winehouse Foundation will fund a scholarship to the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School, where Amy herself first developed her unique talent .

The Foundation was set up in September 2011 with a remit to help young people, including those at a financial disadvantage.

"As most people would know, Amy was a pupil at Sylvia Young Theatre School," says Mitch Winehouse, "this is where her talent was recognised and nurtured. The Amy Winehouse Foundation would like to give a child, who otherwise couldn't afford the same opportunity, the chance to realise their talents."

It was where she first started to develop and focus her extraordinary talent. Her time there, as well as her connections with the school led to her later success.

The school's founder, Sylvia herself, auditioned the then 13 year old Amy and was blown away by her version of On The Sunny Side Of the Street.

In an essay written for the application to the school, Amy explained "I want people to hear my voice and just forget their troubles."

Sylvia later organised an audition for Amy with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra where she further honed her talent and was first spotted by the music industry.

"We loved Amy," says Sylvia Young, "and we are thrilled and honoured that the Amy Winehouse Foundation is setting up this scholarship in her name to help a child who cannot afford the training to develop their talent. It would be wonderful to find another Amy, but there was only one Amy. We would be happy to find a singer, dancer or actor who has a special talent."

For information on how to apply for the scholarship and complete the online registration form, go to:

www.amywinehousefoundation.org/sylviayoungscholarship