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UEL student reaches regional final of UK’s biggest open mic competition

Tuesday 31 August 2010

Magdalene Usikaro

A University of East London student, Magdalene Usikaro, has reached the regional finals of the UK’s largest open mic competition.

Magdalene, who uses the stage name Magda_Leen, had to perform in front of a panel of industry judges to gain her place in the regional finals of Open Mic UK.

Over £50,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs throughout the competition, although all performers will have their eyes on the ultimate prize, a professional recording contract and up to £30,000 worth of development investment. Auditions were held throughout the country in August with over 8,000 acts hoping to get through to the crucial next stage.

Magdalene, who is currently in her final year of a BA Hons degree in Music Industry Management at UEL, says she intends to carry forward everything she has learnt at university by firmly establishing herself as a full-time singer with future hopes of opening up her own studio to help others with similar aspirations.

She said of the competition: “I am very excited to be taking part in the regional finals with high hopes and expectations to go all the way”.

Magdalene’s regional final takes place at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon on Saturday 18 September. Tickets are £7.50 and can be obtained through the Open Mic website.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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