LIVE music made a welcome return to Golden Lion Square in Newton Abbot last weekend.

As part of the Yamaha Music School Start Small, Dream Big initiative, students from JJ’s Art Academy

were even ten minutes each to shine and perform to the shoppers and visitors in the town last Saturday.

Said Joanna Walling, owner of JJ’s Art Academy, ‘The reaction from everyone was amazing and the event went really well. A lot of shoppers were surprised, and pleased, to hear and see live music again.

The event had been health and safety checked and risk-assessed over to ensure it was very much covid-compliant with artists using separate microphones and both performers and audience adhering to social distancing.

Continued Joanna: ’We had twelve performers, ranging from soloists, bands and duos playing their own choice of a selection of music that ranged from rock to musical theatre.’

‘Many were nervous as they hadn’t performed in a true live sense for nearly eight months. However, they all amazing buzz after their performances and the big boost of positivity has been amazing for them.’