Which activity or class did you attend?
Family Choir Club, Matilda Pop-up
“What a great time we all had! My 3 children - ages 3, 5 and 7 - all had lots of fun, getting really involved in the class. They wouldn't have realised, but were learning about music at the same time. I'll definitely bring them to any future Family Choir in our area.”
Which activity or class did you attend?
Mums and Dads Choir & Tots Choir
“In late-2023 my (then) 11-month old daughter and I joined FFC's M&D choir after moving to the area. It is one of the best choices I made; Bella has created a wonderful community of people. After my first session I was invited to join the group for lunch, too. This happens every week, so it's a full day of stuff to do!
We now do Tots Choir as well, and I love that my daughter is learning important musical theory in a really fun and engaging way. This helps with so many aspects for the future including language, speaking & vocabulary, reading, movement, memory, attention & focus, emotional-regulation and social skills. It's amazing when they start to sing the songs at home and you know all the effort is having an impact!
Bella has a structure to the weekly sessions, and we usually work towards a performance (if you want to) but it is a far cry from a formal choir setting. There are babies on laps, playing on the mat, running around, and 'singing' along. We learn by listening, so there's no music to read, and the lyrics are on a big flip chart at the front of the class. We sing in harmony, but it doesn't feel hard because of the way Bella teaches. If you don't want to do any bits you find difficult you can just jump onto the tune (and there's always practise tracks if you want to work on stuff at home).
We're always laughing along with singing! It really is a joyous time. All the parents in the class say it's the highlight of their week, and there are real tears when people have to go back to work. There are also real tears generally when a load of emotions come to the surface - when singing or when your child does something new - that's the cathartic nature of singing together and it is one of the safest places I know to let your emotions out and be completely supported by everyone there.
The songs Bella chooses are varied and fun and you don't have to have any musical knowledge to sing along. You don't even need to think you can sing: it's the 'getting together with your mates and dancing around the kitchen to some banging tunes' kind of vibe. I've made amazing friendships at Family Choir Club, and it is one of the top - if not the top - activity that I know has been invaluable in eradicating any isolation I may have felt with a young child in a new town.
Everyone is always welcome, whatever mood you're in and however late you arrive! As proof of recommendation: I am literally planning my daughter's nursery timetable around attending Bella's sessions so that we can keep coming for as long as possible!”
Which activity or class did you attend?
Family choir club - moana pop up
“Brilliant class, the children are engaged throughout and it's lovely that it feels like there is plenty to engage the adults as well! How rare to find an activity that really is for the whole family to develop and enjoy.”
Which activity or class did you attend?
Encanto pop-up choir! (age 1-5)
“My husband and I really enjoyed the class. Bella was lovely and so motivating. Sadly our boys struggled with attention and weren’t much part of the program but mainly because we didn’t watch the Encanto movie and weren’t familiar with the music.”
Which activity or class did you attend?
Greatest Showman pop up
“Such a warm and friendly session, as always. Lots of lovely singing, harmonies, and opportunity for little ones to play with instruments and learn about rhythm - we really enjoyed it, thank you!”
