THE first presidential role of this year's Urdd Eisteddfod has gone to one of the favourites of the West End.
A message from Monday president Jade Davies.
President of the day for Monday is Jade Davies.
As a local Denbigh girl, Jade has made quite a name for herself as one of the West End greats.
A talented actress, singer and dancer who can try her hand at many accents, she is known as a multitalented performer.
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She was educated at Ysgol Twm o’r Nant in Denbigh and Ysgol Uwchradd Glan Clwyd in St Asaph.
After leaving school at 16, she moved to the Urdang Academy in London, where she trained and followed a performance course in musical theatre.
During her childhood, she was a regular competitor at the Urdd Eisteddfod.
"My favourite memory is the Eisteddfodau," said Jade.
"The experience of learning the songs and learning from the best, Leah Owen.
"I remember feeling nervous on competition days.
"But then I remember the incredible feeling of reaching the stage.
"These were amazing days for the whole family."
Jade added: "I used to compete nearly every year with Ysgol Twm o’r Nant and Ysgol Glan Clwyd.
"I remember when we competed with Ysgol Twm o’r Nant, we’d be able to choose yellow or purple tops, and I would always choose yellow because it was my lucky charm.
"We would win a lot! In choirs, duets and as a soloist.
"But the one that stays in my mind is the last time I entered and won the folk singing competition."
Over the years, she has performed in various shows in the West End, the UK and overseas.
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She received her first major role in the stage production of Les Miserables.
Jade went on to be part of the cast of several other well-known shows, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sister Act and Phantom of the Opera.
She will take on the role of Perdi in the new 101 Dalmatians musical this year.
She’s a member of the Welsh of the West End theatre group and regularly performs with them. As well as acting, singing, and performing, she enjoys horse riding.
On how the experience of competing at the Urdd Eisteddfod has been of benefit to her professional life, Jade said: "I would never be where I am today without the Urdd Eisteddfod.
"The experience of singing in front of thousands of people gave me so much confidence!"
On the best thing about the Urdd, Jade stressed: "The best thing is the opportunity the organisation gives children and young people to do the things they enjoy.
"The Eisteddfod stage gives them the opportunity to showcase their hard work from the previous months.
"It's also nice to see pupils from different schools socializing and making new friends."
And what does being president of the day in the Urdd’s centenary year mean to her?
"It’s a great honour to be president of the day!
"It shows the full circle from where I started to where I am today.
"I'm so grateful to the Urdd for asking me! It means the world."
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