Our Former Rising Stars
LARS exists to provide a springboard for our talented youngsters, in the hope that we will help them in some small way to achieve their ambition of becoming professional performers.
This is a list of our former Rising Stars. Some of them have successfully made the transition to professional musicians and performers, while others have decided on other career paths. Regardless of their final choice, it has been our privilege to be able to work with them, and we hope that the experiences gained with LARS will help them in all aspects of their life.
Heather Dolly Jones (Rising Star from 2022 to 2026)
Heather Dolly Jones graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in Summer 2026, with a Degree in Music (Songwriting and Performance).
Ffion Morgan Short (Rising Star from 2022 to 2026)
Ffion Morgan Short graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2026, with a Degree in Vocal Studies and Opera.
Lauren Elizabeth Williams (Rising Star from 2019 to 2026)
Lauren Elizabeth Williams completed her Degree in Vocal and Opera Studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) in Cardiff in 2024. Lauren went on to graduate with her Masters in Vocal and Opera Studies in 2026. Following this she continued her Opera studies at the RWCMD.
Ela-Mai Williams (Rising Star from 2025 to 2026)
Ela-Mai began her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in September 2026.
Daisy Owens (Rising Star from 2017 to 2025)
In the summer of 2025, Daisy successfully completed her degree course in Musical Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA). Daisy is now beginning her career as a professional performer.
Liam J Edwards (Rising Star from 2020 to 2025)
In the summer of 2025, Liam successfully completed his degree course in Voice and Opera Studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. Liam is now making his way as a professional singer and performer.
Lefi Jô Hughes (Rising Star from 2023 to 2025)
Lefi completed his A Level studies in the summer of 2025, and is now taking a gap year before continuing with his education.
Grace Williams (Rising Star from 2022 to 2024)
In 2024 Grace began her studies in Actor Musicianship at Rose Burford College.
Katherine Foxall (Rising Star from 2023 to 2024)
In 2023 Katherine was accepted to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, under the tutelage of Sarah Rhodes.
Osian Clarke (Rising Star from 2017 to 2024)
Osian graduated from the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London, with a Degree in Vocal Studies and Opera Performance and a Masters Degree in Musical Theatre.
Osian is now beginning his career as a professional musician and has already performed in several concerts and productions including as part of the Philharmonia Chorus at the Royal Festival Hall.
Jac Owens (Rising Star from 2017 to 2023)
Jac is from Pen Y Mynydd, Llanelli and is a former pupil of Ysgol Gyfyn Y Strade and has studied at the Emil Dale Academy in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
Jac is currently working as a Teaching Assistant at Ysgol Gyfyn Y Strade and still performs with Scarlet Musical Theatre Productions.
Nikkila Thomas (Rising Star from 2018 to 2022)
Nikkila graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with a first-class honours degree in Voice and Opera Studies.
Nikkila now working with Wye Valley Music providing a musical programme specially designed for people with dementia.
Imogen Thomas (Rising Star from 2019 to 2022)
Imogen went on to study for a degree in Psychology at Cardiff University.
Tom Bytheway (Rising Star from 2016 to 2021)
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Lauren Fisher (Rising Star from 2017 to 2021)
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Lauren went on to study for a degree in Criminology at Bristol University.
Matthew Lewis (Rising Star from 2019 to 2020)
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Matthew decided to pursue studies other than Music.
Neve Summers (Rising Star from 2017 to 2020)
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Neve decided to pursue a career in Nursing and currently works at Glangwilli Hospital in Carmarthen.
Sydney Richards (Rising Star from 2017 to 2020)
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Sydney left LARS when she decided to pursue a degree in Media and Communications. She is now studying Musical Theatre at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Keely Morgan (Rising Star from 2015 to 2020)
Soprano Keeley Morgan graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff with a first-class honours degree in Voice and Opera Studies.
Joe Cavalli-Price (Rising Star from 2016 to 2020)
Joe graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff with a first-class honours degree in Voice and Opera Studies, and then went to the Royal Academy of Music in London to study his MA in Accompaniment.
Joe lives in London and works in the music industry. He has also co-founded Music in Hospice, which provides music therapy to palliative care patients across the UK.
Stephen Davies
Llanelli born Stephen Davies is a former pupil of Ysgol Gyfyn y Strade and graduated from Swansea University with an Upper Class Honours Degree in Music Technology. After leaving university, Stephen set up his own recording company, Delta Sound based in Llwynhendy.
Nia Rees
Nia studied Music at City University London.