My gorgeous students, it was so lovely to see you all back to PVA today in our new home! Thank you for your dedication and commitment to making gorgeous music! We have once again a very different group, as ever, changing with the passing of time. We said farewell to many senior students this year and it's always a lovely thing to see the new, younger 'senior' group make the transition and follow in the footsteps they have loved and respected for the past few years, so confidently. Today we welcomed in so many wonderful singers to both the Junior class and the new Beginners class...aged 4 and up!!! 4!!..in the new beginners class. Really!! All singing and smiling beeeaauutifully!! Stars are getting younger. And when you see their amazing parents it's no surprise! I'm so looking forward to what is almost a new beginning.. The amazing students are well up to the challenge of our scheduled guest performances in the NCH this month and in December. Thank you to the parents who work so hard to give your children every opportunity possible!! I appreciate your dedication and support so much and never take it for granted that you choose the PVA to be a part of your childrens' journey. It's my privilege xxx

Hi folks! Classes recommence tomorrow, Wednesday Sept 6th at The Penston Vocal Academy in Arklow, and we pleased to announce a CHANGE OF VENUE AND A NEW CLASS! Classes will take place in the Arklow Pipe Band Hall, Castlepark. This change of venue has been necessary to facilitate a new BEGINNERS CLASS from 3.15 -3.55pm for ages 5-7. If you know anyone who may be interested in the beginners class - the perfect feeder class to prepare for advanced tuition in the junior class - please let them know and they can contact me here. All other classes are at usual times: Junior Class 4-5pm (primary school students) Full Choir 5-6pm (Full Choir) Senior Class 6-7pm (second level students) Thank you in advance for your co-operation and here's to another magical, musical year! Naoimh xxx

Classes at the Penston Vocal Academy will resume in Arklow on Wednesday September 6th and in Wexford on Friday September 15th. Under the dynamic direction of Naoimh Penston, the school continues to thrive and inspire, producing vocal performers at the very highest level who continue onward to professional development. Some highlights from last year include a 12 day run as special guest artists at 'Sing Out Loud' in the National Opera House, competitive successes at all major national music festivals, including our debut trip Cork International Choral Festival, and wonderful results for individual students in their singing exams and competitions. The choir will be hitting the ground running in the 2017/2018 season with guest performances at major events in the National Concert Hall in September and December. Entry level is recommended at age 8 and upwards due to the challenging nature of the performance material. However, plans are in place to begin a separate class for the junior students aged 5-8 in the coming weeks! Training in this class will pave the way to confident transition into the larger choral group. Please enquire and enrol your interest at 086 8115682, or email naoimh.penston@gmail.com.

I thought this service might interest some of my students. 😊

Such a proud day today as the good news of college offers keeps coming in from Vocal Academy students now out in the big world. This year there has been a mass exodus of PVA students as the wheels of time keep turning and the babies have grown into amazing young adults. The fact that so many of you go on to study music and perfomance makes me beyond proud of the role I've been lucky enough to play in shaping your futures. Love and best wishes to each and every one of you xxx

Some pictures of The National Stage Schools' production of Les Miserables last night at The Helix. A wonderful show, featuring so many stars of the future gathered from all around the country, including PVA students, Roisin and Fionn Vigors, as Cosette and Gavroche. Congratulations to you both on your superb performances! You are real stars in the making, both of you! Such a proud night, with many tears shed. This other young man is Alan Kelly, 17, from Galway. Remember his name. His was probably one of, if not THE most superb performances of 'Bring Him Home' I have ever heard- (not something I say lightly, having so many wonderful Val Jean's in my life!) Technically magnificent and gut wrenchingly real. Not enough superlatives. He will be a star someday. The entire cast were astonishingly talented and performed with such sincerity. I loved it. Well done to all involved ❤️

This is a brilliantly written article on a serious issue which is, speaking from experience, every singer's worst nightmare.

What a wonderful opportunity for the lucky winner! I encourage you all to enter this competition and get your beautiful voices heard! Best of luck to all! xxx

The very best of luck to all of the Penston Vocal Academy students making their way to Thurles today to begin their wonderful week of musical theatre training at the AIMS Summer School under the expert tutelage of Peter Kennedy and Mary Rose Mc Nally. Caitlin Carty, Emily Davis, Ollie Sheey, Aoife Marie Sheekey, Anna Kenny and Emma Mc Geary, give it socks this week! Looking forward to seeing you all in action on Friday!

Dear friends, students and parents. Thank you so much for a memorable and emotional 'Most Musical' night last night. Last night marked the graduation of the last of the original members of the Vocal Academy from its founding year in 2009. What an absolute privilege it has been for me to teach you wonderful people, some of you from age 7 to 19. It's quite a wrench to let go of students I have loved for so long. But, go you must, away to study and enrich your lives further and be whatever you want to be. So long as you're happy. I will always feel honoured to have been a part of your journey and hope you remember the time as fondly as I do. Onwards to a new cycle, with talent coming up through the next group which is simply astounding. Thank you to all of the wonderful parents who honour me with the job of bringing musical enrichment to their children's lives. I never, ever take it for granted and I am grateful for every second. Goodnight and God bless xxx