Banstead and Nork AOS have launched a junior section

Banstead And Nork Junior Operatic Society

BANJOS is a junior Theatre Group with professional tutors affiliated to the main Society but run independently. Junior membership of the society does not confer the automatic right to join BANJOS. The age range is from 9 to 14 years and currently we have our full complement.  Anne has a waiting list and some of those already on it will be able to join in September.  They will be notified by July if successful.  Others may have to wait until September 2009 unless vacancies occur. Everyone who has spoken to Anne already is on the waiting list.  Members are required to wear BANJOS T-shirts, dark joggers and jazz type shoes for safety reasons. 

Anne Ellingham 01737 212114

Who are the Coaches?

There are two professional teachers, Joanne Brack concentrates on Dance and Drama, Hannah Kirk on the Music and Singing. 

Joanne Brack BA, FIDTA

Joanne studied Drama and Theatre Studies at Roehampton Institute and Theatre Dance with IDTA examiner Loraine Hastings.  She has been Principal of the Willow School of Dance for the last seven years and in that time has produced three shows, gained hundreds of successful examination passes and trained 5 teachers.  The school continues to offer classes to over 200 pupils from age 2.5 years to adults. 

As well as the daily running of a successful school, Joanne has taken a keen interest in local theatre, founding her own company in 1995, Mayhem Productions, and then a couple of years later a junior section, Young Stars. Mayhem & Young Stars went on to perform at such diverse venues as the Charles Cryer Theatre, Adrian Mann Theatre and Epsom Playhouse with shows such as South Pacific, Into the Woods, Cabaret, The Wiz, Oklahoma and Oliver to name a few.  Joanne was always involved as either Director, Choreographer or Performer, her favourite role being Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof. 

In addition, Joanne has taught dance at several local nursery schools, run creative arts workshops for both the Charles Cryer Theatre and Spelthorne Borough Council, directed for Hinchley Manor Operatic Society and is now delighted to be offering musical theatre training for BANJOS. 

Hannah Kirk B.Ed (Music & Dance) LRAM

Hannah Kirk, our Voice Coach, graduated from Keele University in Music and Dance Education, and is a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music. She joined D’Oyly Carte in 1998 for their West End productions and recordings of Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore. Hannah has worked with many professional opera companies as a principal, touring both the U K and Europe and has performed at The Sydney Opera House. 

Hannah is a regular oratorio and concert soloist and appears on various recordings, including some with the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Closer to home venues include St. John’s Smith Square, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Barbican. More importantly Hannah has performed with Banstead and Nork Operatic Society! 

Hannah is very involved in Music Education as a singing teacher, choir coach and choral animateur, working with both the very young as well as the mature singer. She promotes singing in a number of schools and presents the KMAS Infant Music Festival, involving twelve hundred children over three days! Hannah finds being part of the new BANJOs project particularly exciting.