GLEE’ STYLE STAGE SCHOOL FRANCHISE IS FAMILY AFFAIR FOR MUM AND DAUGHTER

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GLEE’ STYLE STAGE SCHOOL FRANCHISE IS FAMILY AFFAIR FOR MUM AND DAUGHTER

A mother and daughter duo are bringing a little ‘glee’ to their corner of Yorkshire with the launch of a new stage school linked to one of the UK’s most famous performing arts institutions.

Amy Wilson and her mum Liz Monks are the first family business to be awarded a LIPA 4:19 franchise from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), which was co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney.

Their LIPA 4:19 academy in Menston, Leeds will offer singing, dancing and acting lessons to young people aged between four and 19, who are hoping to follow in the footsteps of their famous idols.

For 32-year-old mum of two Amy, launching LIPA 4:19 is the fulfilment of a long term ambition to run her own business, after she was made redundant from her job developing script writing talent.

She said: “After I was made redundant I wanted to find something that would rekindle the fire in my belly for performing arts and fit in with the demands of having two young kids. When Mum presented me with the idea of opening our own stage school, I jumped at the chance.”

Liz, who is a drama teacher, and Amy’s sister had both studied at LIPA, where they learned about the franchise opportunity. LIPA has run a successful Saturday morning stage school in Liverpool for six years and is now rolling the brand out across the UK. Former LIPA 4:19 students include Britain’s got talent winner George Sampson.

Amy continued: “My mum and sister had a great experience at LIPA, so we knew how professional and sophisticated the teaching is. LIPA 4:19 shares the same ethos and in Liverpool it has a huge waiting list. When we heard about the opportunity to bring the brand to Leeds we knew we wanted to make it just as successful.

“Launching a new business is a huge challenge, especially when the country is just coming out of a recession, but we’re feeling confident. The success of Glee and High School Musical has created huge demand for quality performing arts training. We’re the new kids on the block in Leeds but, with the backing of LIPA, we’re aiming high.”

Amy and Liz have launched their LIPA 4:19 in St Marys Secondary Catholic School and are offering free taster sessions.

The LIPA 4:19 is the only stage school franchise linked to an established performing arts institute and offers a curriculum-based approach to its classes.

Older LIPA 4:19 students are given the chance to attend master classes at LIPA in Liverpool, which in the past have included sessions with LIPA’s lead patron Sir Paul McCartney, Will Young and Sir Ian McKellen.

For more information on how to attend the LIPA 4:19 academy in Menston please contact lipamenston@yahoo.co.uk.