A FORMER student from Taunton has released her debut single - highlighting domestic abuse.

Millfield alumni, Rosie Smith, has released a song called Talking with Your Hands.

Rosie attended the school in Street after moving to Somerset with her family.

Her new single was inspired by the spike in reports of abuse during the cornavirus pandemic.

“Domestic abuse cases have risen considerably during the lockdowns, therefore I was inspired to write this and highlight what goes on behind closed doors," she said.

"My style of songwriting is storytelling in a metaphorical, abstract and conversational way, referencing topics such as domestic abuse and turning them into something people shouldn’t be afraid to talk about.

"Millfield gave me a passion for music, taught me to sing and helped me develop as a singer-songwriter.

"I learnt so much from my time there and I wouldn’t be where I am without the relationships I made."

Rosie joined Millfield Prep School as a sports scholar before transferring to the drama scholarship for sixth form.

At school, Rosie was a member of Millfield Music School’s ensembles including award-winning Chamber Choir, Camerata, close-harmony acapella group, Augumented Sixth and the Whole School Choir.

She also conducted the winning chamber choir at Millfield’s annual House Song event which saw her also achieve best conductor with a complex rendition of Jolene.

Self-taught on four instruments (piano, guitar, drums and trumpet), Rosie previously composed a song called Remember Me, a piece which was created for Millfield’s annual Remembrance Day service at Wells Cathedral.

During her time at Millfield, Rosie was a Senior Prefect and was an active anti-bullying ambassador. She also founded the MPM (Millfield Peer Mentor Scheme), lending a friendly ear to younger students.

Millfield’s director of music, Matthew Cook, added: “Rosie is an extremely talented singer-songwriter and an exceptionally gifted lyricist. Even when she was at school she was writing beautifully pertinent songs that expressed purpose, intent and meaning and it’s fair to say, she has always been very good at putting her thoughts and feelings, and the feelings of others into song.

"She was a really crucial part in our growth of contemporary music and we’re wonderfully happy to see that music has continued to be such an important part of her life after Millfield. We are very grateful that we could be part of that journey.”

Rosie attends Rose Bruford College, London, where she gained one of only 16 places to become an actor-musician. She aspires to have a career in comedy on-screen and would like to continue writing music for TV and film.

Alongside her single, Rosie has written her own musical, The Push, which references mental health issues in a sub-concious manner. The musical, which was script-written by Rosie, contains seven original tracks.

The production is currently at rehearsal stage and will be performed in London in July as part of Rose Bruford’s Symposium, a one week festival for students, staff, alumni, industry partners and associates.