The Fermanagh School of Music and Performing Arts has recently opened a new studio in Enniskillen, offering more opportunities to prospective students in the Fermanagh area.

Founder Ciara O’Flanagan, who also has a studio in Lisnaskea, explained:

“The reason we have extended was because Lisnaskea is at capacity, we can’t provide for any more students there.

“The aim is to offer it to all areas of Fermanagh so going to Enniskillen gave us more space, it gave us the opportunity to take on more tutors and obviously then more opportunities for the children, and adults. There’s a lot of adults coming to us as well.”

Ciara set up the Fermanagh School of Music and Performing Arts when she returned home after living in England: “When I came home from Liverpool, I knew I was coming home to very little work in Fermanagh so I thought, ‘I need to make work for myself’ and that’s sort of where it came from. It started out with 15 students and now we’ve nearly 300.”

When asked what opening the new studio means to her, Ciara told this newspaper: “It means everything. It’s stressful, don’t get me wrong.

“Many a night you’d lie awake thinking, ‘oh my gosh, am I doing the right thing here?’ But no it’s great to see it growing and it’s great to see more and more people coming on board.”

“The support we’ve had from the likes of Ciaran Carson, from the band Full Moon Fever, they’ve donated sets of drums and other instruments, it’s just been unbelievable,” she added.

The new studio in Enniskillen, which is based in Lackaboy Industrial Estate, has four music rooms and a drama room.

“We can have four different music tutors in at the one time and a drama and dance tutor in the big room,” explained Ciara.

Alongside performing arts and music tuition, Ciara noted that the school will soon be offering music production classes: “This is something that isn’t offered in Fermanagh, which is writing and composing your own music through IT. “

Ciara also has some specialist tutors onboard:

“Finnian Drumm and Declan O’Hare both from Jimmy Buckley’s band are in working with us. They’re tutoring for us now. That’s a massive opportunity for the kids.”

“We also have Leah O’Rourke from Derry Girls working with us. It’s bringing talent to Fermanagh but it’s all different angles of talent. All different experiences so our children are being more and more enriched all the time,” she added.

When asked what she hopes for the future of the arts in Fermanagh, Ciara said:

“I would just like to see Fermanagh itself being recognised for the local talent that’s there already.

“We have the best theatre in the whole of Ireland, I don’t care what anyone says. Its setting and facilities, everything, we’re now worried is it going to open again? At least if there’s something like this we’re showing that there’s a need for theatre in Fermanagh.”

She added: “I just hope that every kid gets the same chance. Whatever sector they want to work on in performing arts, it’s there for them in Fermanagh. We can offer it in Fermanagh.”