A STAGE school is celebrating its fifth anniversary.
Hannah Lucy Stage School is celebrating an important year as owner Hannah Finnigan reflects on her tribulations and achievements over five years since it first opened.
Since moving to Haltwhistle five years ago, she is immensely proud to see the progress she has made since opening her studio.
Not only did she diversify her business to suit the needs of her pupils during COVID-19, but she has gone from strength to strength by extending the classes.
"After opening in 2019 and almost immediately having to do Zoom lessons during COVID-19 to then doing opening socially distanced classes to now going on dance trips, students taking exam awards and performing at Haltwhistle carnival this year, we have been through a lot," Hannah said.
"When I opened the business in 2019, I was starting from scratch as a total outsider to Haltwhistle, which was very hard, but as soon as the doors opened, the students loved the classes.
"Our first show was in 2019, and we only had around 30 students, but the first show back since Covid was in 2023, we had 76 students take part, which is a huge leap.
"After the show in 2023, I was reduced to happy and proud tears on both show nights as we sold 375 of 400 tickets.
"I was overwhelmed with the support and dedication from both students and their families, and it was amazing to raise £230 for the Great North Air Ambulance through our raffle.
"As someone who always knew they wanted to go into teaching, this has been an amazing milestone to reach.
“It is crazy to see that in five years of business, we have ever-growing classes with students, both children and adults, who leave the studio feeling happy and proud of their achievements.
“Throughout the year, we have so many activities and opportunities within the school, such as dance trips to local performances, examinations, and our annual showcase, so there is always something fun and exciting happening within the school.
“Here is to (at least) another five amazing years of Hannah Lucy Stage School.”
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