A STUDENT at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland has experienced the thrill of performing in front of 75,000 people as part of Gareth Malone’s Military Wives Choir.

FdA Children’s and Young People’s Workforce student, Monet Hylands-Hughes, from St Anne’s Chapel, joined the choir four years ago.

The former performing arts school in London student, who is currently the youngest member in the group, had a grandad in the Navy and, following reading a book about the military choir, set about joining.

Monet believes the experience ‘has changed my life’, adding: “At 23-years-old I am the youngest in the choir and I have had experiences I would never otherwise have had. I have performed at Twickenham three times before England rugby matches in front of 75,000 people and supported Susan Boyle on her tour at the Plymouth gig.”

The Military Wives Choirs Foundation charity was founded in 2012 by a group of military wives from the very first choirs following the enormous success of the number one single Wherever You Are.

The aim was to ensure a lasting legacy of choirs to enable women in the military community to share the enjoyment and pride that comes from singing together.

Now with a network of over 75 choirs, the Military Wives Choirs Foundation supports women in the British military community in the UK, Germany, Cyprus and further afield, wherever the forces are based.

Monet said: “We also perform at the Remembrance Service in Plymouth every year as well as lots of little gigs in the South West which have been brilliant.

“My fiancé is an aircraft engineer in the Navy so he is away a lot, the choir really is like a family to me.”

Team lead for Early Years at Cornwall College, Laetitia Mayne, said: “We are all very proud of Monet and what she is achieving in the Military Wives Choir.”

As for the future, Monet is looking forward to achieving many more highlights throughout her time with the choir as well as focusing on her career with children.

Monet added: “Previously I have held singing lessons for children, which is something I would like to do more of. I am really enjoying my childcare course at Duchy College and would definitely recommend it to others looking to pursue a career in childcare.”