AN Old Town singing school was in the mood for dancing at the weekend as a special show was put on to mark the visit of patron, Maureen Nolan.

The Irish pop star and actress was in Belmont Crescent on Saturday (JUL 11) to meet students and parents of Everybody Sing.

After being approached by principal Sophie Haynes’s mother on e-mail, the 61-year-old theatre veteran was impressed by the focus on singing and the Irish roots of Sophie’s family.

Kerry Richings, Sophie’s mother and Everybody Sing director, was, like Maureen, born in Dublin with several siblings in a large family.

“I just thought it was such a lovely e-mail,” said Maureen. “We met in Blackpool and it was just such a fantastic family to go with.

“They are so inspirational. It’s amazing for someone of any age to do what she’s (Sophie) done, but for someone of 26 to make it so successful is amazing.

“She had a big Irish family and there’s also the fact this school concentrates on singing.

“There are mainly dance academies around which do singing on the side, but this is nice because it concentrates on singing.”

The school has been open for over a year now and Sophie has rapidly made a success of her vision for anyone unlocking their inner singer.

The roll is now up to 140 pupils and Sophie has needed to rapidly alter her expectations, turning full-time and setting her sights higher for the business.

“Everybody can sing. The whole ethos is everyone can sing, obviously not to the same standard, but I believe everyone is capable of it with training,” she said.

“It’s gone way better [than I expected]. I never really took it on as a full-time business. I was teaching elsewhere with a few lessons in my spare time.”

Sophie said she has long been inspired by Maureen’s portfolio of work, including her regular forays into musical theatre.

“I was just in shock when I found out,” she said.

“My passion is for musical theatre and having seen Maureen in Blood Brothers, which is in my top-three musicals, having seen her in that, what a person for everyone to look up to.”

Maureen still keeps herself busy with theatre and pantomime performances throughout the year, but hopes to make herself available where possible for the academy.

Meanwhile, Sophie still has fire in her belly to make it the best school she can.

“I just want to keep it going and growing. I’m trying to break into schools at the moment and get more kids singing,” she said.

“They do, do a lot, but I want to help with their confidence on top of singing. It’s the confidence of just standing up and speaking.”