A PERFORMING arts network for young people is ready to open the doors to a new venue as classes resume after lockdown.

Stagecoach Washington & Chester-le-Street has found a new home for its students and teachers at Hermitage Academy, Chester-le-Street, following a 12-month-long search.

Principal Melanie Hill, who has owned the school since it started four years ago, has worked tirelessly to find the new venue and is excited for the students to finally get to enjoy the new space as classes return for the summer term.

She said the sounds of singing, dancing and acting are filling the rooms once again, as local children start to re-build their creative confidence after a hard lockdown.

She said: “I’m buzzing with excitement at Stagecoach Washington & Chester-le-Street’s new venue, and bringing back a strong, creative syllabus that will challenge our talented students, whilst being fun, educational and rewarding for them.

“My fantastic teachers and I have been extremely busy planning our new term, as well as receiving lovely support from Hermitage Academy’s site managers and leadership team who are hugely passionate about the importance of performing arts for children.”

The Northern Echo:

Students and their parents are also overjoyed that the new venue has been secured, saying it has given many a new lease of life after months of coronavirus restrictions.

One nine-year-old Stagecoach student said: “Being back at Stagecoach has meant that I can see my friends again and I can keep working hard doing something I love."

And a parent said: "I’m so thrilled that my daughter is able to start her ‘real’ Stagecoach classes again as she gets so much from them each Saturday.

"She loves the teaching staff and comes home full of stories of what they have been doing in each of the lessons. This term’s Hamilton theme is an absolute dream for her."

Performing arts have been a major part of Melanie’s life since she first moved to the area as a teenager, and joined the renowned local theatre group, Youth Connection.

Since then, she has added to her CV with performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Royal National Theatre, regional theatres in London and the South, as well as producing many professional plays and musicals at the famous King’s Head Theatre in London.

Stagecoach is the world’s largest network of performing arts schools, with more than 2000 extra-curricular performing arts schools worldwide.

Stagecoach aims to make a difference in its students' lives by teaching Creative Courage for Life, with many students going on to be professionals and world-renowned actors, singers and dancers.

Early Stages classes are available for children aged four to six and Main Stages classes take place for six to 18-year-olds every weekend.

For more information about Stagecoach Washington & Chester-le-Street visit the website at stagecoach.co.uk/washington or call 07708-587647.