When I was 16 I eagerly auditioned for our high school musical, singing a verse and the chorus from the Irene Cara song Flashdance … What a Feeling. Instead of taking the music teacher’s advice and picking something suitable for my voice, I chose this song because I secretly wanted to be just a dancer with a welding mask – just like the star of the film.

Preparations were intense. I spent hours rehearsing at home, nailing down the lyrics and watching the same scene over and over on my treasured VHS copy of Flashdance. I would have attempted some of the dance moves too but it was clear to everyone that was never going to be to my advantage.

My friendship group auditioned for the handful of lead roles and I had visions of myself up on stage, belting out a song alongside the cute boy in my year I had a crush on.

The day finally came when the cast list was posted near the music room – I can still remember the churning in my stomach as we raced down at lunch to see.

We were all given parts, because inclusion mattered, but, while most of my friends were given key singing roles,........

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