Chigwell Performing Arts principal celebrates silver jubilee with show at Royal Opera House

In 1999, Barnes became Principal of Stagecoach Performing Arts in Chigwell with just five students. She aimed to offer high-quality performing arts education to children and young adults in Chigwell and the surrounding areas.

Since then, she has gone on to support hundreds of talented students in developing their performing arts careers, as well as learn skills for life, including teamwork, presentation, planning and strategy, courage, self-motivation skills, and much more.

At the anniversary event, students took to the stage of the Royal Opera House to perform two shows: the first being a performance of “Eddie the Penguin Saves the World”, an eco-friendly musical by Nikki Davies and performed by the youngest students aged four to six.

Davies, who inspired many through her musicals, was also in attendance, celebrating the principal’s incredible achievement.

The older students, aged six to 18, and notable alumni of Stagecoach Chigwell who honed their craft with Suzanna in their early stages, also took to the stage to perform in the Stagecoach Chigwell 25th Anniversary Musical Extravaganza.

Suzanna-Jane Barnes, Principal of Stagecoach Performing Arts in Chigwell, said: "I was thrilled to see our students perform at the Royal Opera House, where my professional dance career began. It was a surreal, full-circle moment and a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our students and staff over the years. We're very proud to have celebrated this milestone in such a significant venue."

In the 36 years since launching, Stagecoach Performing Arts has seen more than one million students unlock their creative potential, which they will value for their whole lives. Provided with the support and dedication of such an outstanding Principal network, the students learn so much more than how to sing, dance and act. Stagecoach helps them blossom into well-rounded individuals, ready to embrace life and all of its exciting opportunities.

With a network of over 60,000 students and more than 3,000 extra-curricular Performing Arts Schools worldwide, Stagecoach aims to make a difference in its students’ lives by teaching Creative Courage for Life and many children have gone on to study and work in Performing Arts from blockbuster films to countless roles in local theatre productions.

For more information about Stagecoach Performing Arts Chigwell, please visit their website at www.stagecoach.co.uk/chigwell.