Performing arts school in Melksham celebrate success

West Wiltshire School for Performing Arts (WWSPA), run by Lorraine Mahoney of Semington, has recently had a lot to celebrate. 

Lorraine teaches Musical Theatre at the school as well as beginners’ Adult Tap dancing, Street Fit, Melksham Glee Club and The Semingtones – a ladies choir. Private vocal tuition is also available.

This year The Semingtones have had an incredible opportunity of recording their very own debut album. With 40 local women taking part, St George’s Church in Semington was transformed into a recording studio with microphones and equipment for the recording.

They have named their album ‘Thank You for the Music’ which features a range of songs including musical theatre, popular and classical and is available to purchase for £10 direct from Lorraine.

On releasing their album, the ladies choir have received calls for bookings all the way up until Christmas, of which Lorraine says, “I’m so proud of the ladies and I know they are all looking forward to performing at local venues in the coming weeks.”

Lorraine, an experienced singer and performer herself, has just returned from France where she was invited to sing for the Artists Rifles Association’s centenary commemoration of their first crossing of the Channel aboard the steamship Australind.

She performed at the gala dinner held at Chateau Tilques, Tilques and also at the service of commemoration remembrance and commitment, which was held at St Fuscien St Victoric Church, Helfaut, Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

Back in Wiltshire, another poignant moment for WWSPA was seeing the start of the new Street Fit class, the first one to be launched in West Wiltshire. Street Fit is an exercise class with moves inspired by street dancing and is an effective all-body work out that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Adult classes are currently being held, but classes for children are also a possibility if there is enough interest.

Lorraine also has a performing arts school in Hastings, East Sussex which is called Theatre Sense and has been running for nearly nine years. Managed by Sherri-Ann Fido, Theatre Sense held their annual show in November which was a great success and saw an audience of 200 in the small theatre for one night only.

Lorraine invited one of her WWSPA pupils, Eloise Hatfield from Melksham Oak School, to perform in the showcase which Eloise explained was, “An exciting experience.” Eloise came to Lorraine for singing lessons as a way of improving her self-confidence at school and around her peers. Lorraine explained, “Eloise has really come out of herself and has transformed into a wonderful performer that is an asset to the school.”

Plans and preparations are now in motion for WWSPA’s annual show which will be in April 2015 and can be enjoyed by residents as they invite members of the local community to join in the fun.

If you have any queries on what WWSPA involves or if you want to become a part of a fun and active group in the community, then please contact Lorraine on 07730 254122 or visit her website www.WWSPA.co.uk.