Olivia Bay, Runner-Up of Operación Triunfo 2025: From the International Baccalaureate specialising in Performing Arts and Film to the Big Stage

Olivia Bay, alumna of Agora Madrid International School, achieved second place in Operación Triunfo 2025. Her journey demonstrates how the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma specialising in Performing Arts and Film can foster talent, discipline and excellence both inside and outside the classroom.

An inspiring story: talent + effort + education

Some achievements go beyond the stage and become a source of inspiration for an entire educational community. Olivia Bay’s journey to the final of Operación Triunfo 2025 is one such example: a clear demonstration of how talent, combined with perseverance and a solid education, can go a very long way.

Securing second place in a competition with such high artistic demands and public exposure speaks not only of vocal ability, stage presence or performance skills. It also reflects a strong work ethic, emotional management, resilience and a learning mindset. When these values are nurtured during key educational stages, they become a genuine advantage for any professional challenge.

From the classroom to the stage: what lies behind a great result

While public attention often focuses on the live shows and performances, achievements like Olivia’s are built on habits and skills developed over many years: discipline, time management, critical thinking, active listening, self-awareness and the ability to perform under pressure.

In this sense, her story reinforces a fundamental idea: artistic excellence and academic excellence are not opposites. On the contrary, when both are integrated coherently, they strengthen one another.

What the International Baccalaureate (IB) specialising in Performing Arts and Film offers

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is widely recognised for its academic rigour and for developing skills that prepare students for demanding and ever-changing environments. When this model is combined with specialised artistic training, the result is a pathway that supports students’ growth on multiple levels: as performers, creators and individuals.

At Agora Madrid International School, the IB Diploma specialising in Performing Arts and Film is designed to allow students to pursue their artistic vocation without compromising a strong academic foundation, through an approach that promotes:

• Critical thinking and creativity, applied to projects, performances and creative processes.
• Communication and expression, essential both on stage and in any future career.
• Autonomy and time management, key to balancing training, rehearsals and academic study.
• Resilience, learning how to face auditions, continuous assessment and real-world challenges.

Learn more about the programme here: International Baccalaureate specialising in Performing Arts and Film.

Sing & Dance Project – Víctor Ullate Roche: high-performance artistic training with a strong academic base

This pathway is delivered in collaboration with Sing & Dance Project, a programme led by Víctor Ullate Roche and Nuria Sánchez, offering high-level artistic training aligned with the academic demands of the International Baccalaureate.

Its goal is clear: to support the development of talent through solid artistic training (acting, performing arts and professional industry tools) while maintaining a strong focus on academic and personal growth. This approach prepares students not only for the stage, but also for life—learning to work as part of a team, embrace continuous improvement, accept feedback and build a rigorous artistic identity.

An educational community that supports (and celebrates)

The achievements of former students are shared achievements. During the final of Operación Triunfo 2025, the Agora Madrid International School community experienced the excitement together, bringing students from different stages together and reinforcing a bond that does not end at graduation.

Supporting our students in their growth—also once they have begun their professional journeys—is an essential part of our educational project: growing together, celebrating effort and recognising excellence.

Inspiration for future generations

Olivia Bay’s story is a close and powerful reference for those who dream of pursuing careers in the performing arts or the audiovisual industry. Her experience in a demanding and competitive environment shows that aiming high is possible when vocation is supported by rigorous, personalised education focused on talent development.

At Agora Madrid International School, we remain committed to an education that nurtures dreams, prepares students for professional reality and develops individuals capable of excelling both on and off the stage.

Would you like to know more?

If you are looking for a programme that combines academic excellence with specialised artistic training, here are the most direct options:

Request information about the International Baccalaureate specialising in Performing Arts and Film.