Supporting aspiring singers, songwriters, and poets from within the Armed Forces community, Talent in the Ranks artists work alongside our experts to develop their skills, build confidence, and share their unique lived experiences.
The Armed Forces Memorial, and its immediate surroundings, will be closed to visitors from 10am on Friday 8 August to 5pm on Sunday 17 August to allow us to prepare to host the national VJ Day 80 commemorations. The rest of the Arboretum's 150-acres will remain open to visitors as normal. We are sorry for any inconvenience this might cause and appreciate your understanding during this time.
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Laura Kelly, a Talent in the Ranks artist, shares more about participtating in the 2024 programme.
"Talent in the Ranks has been the most incredible journey. With a gentle nudge from a great friend, I entered the process full of nerves and doubting whether I was good enough. I started as the girl who, in week one, was too scared to sing and played a recording instead. But by the end, I stood proudly in front of thousands at a remembrance service, singing with confidence I never knew I had. It was beyond my wildest dreams.
This programme provided the safest space to be vulnerable, to express ourselves authentically, and to create art from the things we once carried in silence. It found me at a pivotal moment in my life—when I was struggling with my past and unable to see a clear future. Through Talent in the Ranks, I found confidence, empowerment, and healing. It gave me the courage to speak, embrace my story, and to reconnect with the little girl who loved singing with her dad.
More than anything, I realized that what made me love singing so much was that, back then, that little girl believed in herself as much as her dad believed in her. Thanks to Rachel, Dan, Aliyah, Black Voices, and everyone at Grosvenor Road Studios, you’ve brought that little girl’s sparkle back. You’ve not only transformed my voice but also every aspect of my life and I will always be so grateful."
Laura Kelly, Talent in the Ranks 2024
