A HAMMOND School student is going to take a bite of the Big Apple.
Dance student James Hobley is heading for New York next month.
The 13-year-old, from Redcar, shot to fame when he reached the finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2010. His success as a dancer is all the more impressive because James is autistic, and spent some of his earlier years at a special school.
James was featured in the line-up of performers for Autism’s Got Talent, a showcase at The Mermaid Theatre, London, last May. He also had the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch through Stockton On Tees this summer.
Now he is set to appear solo on stage at the Edison Ballroom in Times Square on October 22 - just around the corner from Broadway. This glittering evening, called Heroes for Autism, is a charity event to honour people with the condition who have achieved in the arts. James will be the only dancer on a programme of singers and musicians, together with a sprinkle of Broadway stars and broadcasters from American television.
James’s trip will also include a tour of the Lincoln Centre, home of the New York City Ballet and he will watch a class at the American Ballet Theatre.
