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Inspirational DJ Terry reaches for the stars

A Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor student whose passion in life is music, has taken big steps towards fulfilling his dream to become a top DJ.

Terry Tuffrey, 22, who lives in Cae Clyd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, who studied Independent Living Skills at college due to his moderate learning difficulties - has already overcome many obstacles in his life and he’s now reaching for the stars.

A film crew from Caernarfon-based production company ‘Cwmni Da’ followed Terry over a period of six months as he graduated from college, hosted acts at a prestigious music festival and co-presented a popular show on Radio Cymru.

The resulting documentary, Drych: DJ Terry, can be seen on S4C on Sunday, April 23, at 9pm, with English subtitles available.

The filming followed Terry as he met Ed Holden, aka Mr Phormula, the well- known rapper and beat-box expert, at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor in Dolgellau, who was happy to allow Terry to practise his interviewing skills.

The Anglesey-born musician and poet also asked Terry to introduce his set at Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau which he carried out faultlessly.

Terry also contacted the BBC to ask if he could shadow a DJ as work experience, and was rewarded with an invitation to join Ifan Jones Evans at their studios in Bangor.

Terry was invited into the studio itself, and for three hours he helped Ifan present his live show, reading messages from listeners, introducing songs and chatting merrily.

Ifan said, “It was a pleasure to have Terry on the show. He was perfect, spot on.

There’s clearly a glittering future ahead of him because he has the ability to communicate with others and is quite a character”.

An euphoric Terry said,

“I’ve always wanted to be a radio DJ and this experience has shown that I’m right to go after my dream”

“Over the past few months I’ve been able to do things I never imagined I could do. I’ve learned to not be afraid and do my best. I’m sure I want to be a DJ in the future.”

There are a few things that I don’t manage to do - but nobody is perfect in this old world but in the next few months I want to go for it!”

I have to take risks and try to follow my own path but I am very lucky to have a very supportive Mum and Dad”.

After seeing Terry graduate from Coleg Meirion Dwyfor, Helen, his mother, said,

“I’ve watched Terry grow into the man he is now and I’m so proud of where he is today. Now it’s time for him to be independent. I’m one proud mother”.

Dad Phil added,

“Terry is my best friend and he has so many interests. We sometimes have long chats at night. We talk about travelling, about life. He likes music, he has a passion for it and his heart is really in it.”

“Since graduating from college where he completed a course in independent living skills, Terry has been doing more work experience on a weekday television programme in Caernarfon, and is hoping to find some reasonably priced DJ equipment to practise his presenting skills at home”.

Siwan Haf, who co-produced the documentary with Rhys Lloyd, described Terry as a “truly inspirational young man”.

Siwan added, “I’m very proud of the programme. It has been a pleasure working with Terry”.

“He speaks so honestly and openly about life in general and himself in particular. It is so refreshing and I feel I have learned so much from him and his attitude towards life while being in his lovely company”.

The programme, Drych: DJ Terry, will be broadcast on S4C on Sunday, April 23, at 9pm. English subtitles will be available and the programme can also be watched on demand on S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and other streaming platforms.

Pagination