A MUSIC teacher has opened a studio in Blaenavon after running classes over Zoom throughout lockdown. The Shining Stars Music Academy studio in Broad Street, opened by singer and music teacher Rebecca Osmond, will offer singing sessions as well as hosting piano and guitar lessons, drama sessions, music and movement for toddlers, and art classes. Ms Osmond currently works for Age Connects Torfaen to provide music therapy for young-onset dementia, and said she hopes to be able to hold a similar class at the Blaenavon studio. “Since I began teaching four years ago, starting from home and renting different spaces, it’s always been the dream to have a studio in one place with my name above the door,” she said.
“Since I began teaching four years ago, starting from home and renting different spaces, it’s always been the dream to have a studio in one place with my name above the door,” she said. “I’d been searching, and viewed a few properties, but was too nervous to take the plunge. The pandemic was the drive for me to take this leap, to find a little shop in the centre of town. “As many as 80 per cent of my pupils are Blaenavon residents - children and adults. Not only will this new studio be offering singing sessions, but I’m now also able to open the doors to many more classes.
He said, in that period, he had been impressed by the way that the council worked together and the support of chief officer Kevin Warren. “I always said you should come in as a member of the public and not be aware which political parties councillors belonged to,” he said. “And that has proved to be very much the case, with nobody expressing political opinions and working only for the good of Blaenavon.” Mayor of Blaenavon Liam Cowles with his predecessor Cllr Alan Jones. Picture: Blaenavon Town Council Cllr Cowles paid tribute to his predecessor, saying Cllr Jones had a “difficult and frustrating” year in charge during the pandemic, unable to attend as many events as normal but still putting in a significant amount of work, including attending the Remembrance Day ceremony.
Mayor of Blaenavon Liam Cowles. Picture: Blaenavon Town Council BLAENAVON Town Council has selected its youngest ever mayor. Cllr Liam Cowles, 28, was unanimously elected at last week’s annual general meeting, taking over from Cllr Alan Jones. Cllr Cowles said it was “an absolute honour” to be chosen as mayor after being elected to the town council almost two years ago. He said, in that period, he had been impressed by the way the council worked together and with the support of chief officer Kevin Warren. “I always said you should come in as a member of the public and not be aware which political parties councillors belonged to,” he said. “And that has proved to be very much the case, with nobody expressing political opinions and working only for the good of Blaenavon.”