A MUSICAL success story has praised the town which helped land her the opportunity of a lifetime.
Vanessa Higgins, who grew up in New Town, Colchester, has landed her dream role as managing director of Virgin Music Label & Artist Services UK.
Now living in London, Miss Higgins still feels a piece of her heart remains in her home town and she will return to Colchester to get married in the summer.
The 36-year-old credited her education at Colchester County High School for Girls as fundamental to her success, first as a live musician and now in her current career.
She said: “It was great, I did a lot of music when I was there, putting on my own plays and writing my own songs. The school let me explore the music industry for myself, it was really good.
“They always told us to aim high and hold the best standards for yourself, now when I am in meetings with much more experienced colleagues I have that confidence instilled in me to hold my own.
“I think Colchester massively punches above its weight for its music scene, especially with some of the venues in the town centre, and the quality of bands there have always amazed me.
“One of my favourite gigs I ever did was at Colchester Arts Centre, I loved it and would’ve stayed on stage there for hours if they let me.
“There’s something about Colchester which brings music to it, I feel lucky to have been there.”
Miss Higgins, whose parents are key figures in the town with Peter, who is a Maths professor at the University of Essex, and Theresa, who is a former mayor of the town, expressed how lucky she feels.
She added: “I feel like I am incredibly lucky. I have so many musician friends and colleagues whose roles just disappeared overnight when the pandemic hit and have had no support, it’s horrible.
“Music is my whole life. Yes, it is my career but it is also my hobby and what I do in my free time regardless. I am never going to stop being a musician, I think it’s something that will always be in me.”
The proud Colchester United fan has toured the world thanks to her musical talents, and is now looking to support acts from the UK.
Rising rap star Digga D is part of a group of artists she works with and she is excited about every act on the Virgin Music roster.
She added: “It’s an incredible time to work with an amazing company which is rebranding, and to be able to shape it myself is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
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