Ronan Parke in Norwich to support Blofield Heath singing teacher
She is credited with giving singing sensation Ronan Parke the confidence to apply for Britain's Got Talent - and now Kay Webber is giving other people the chance to develop their vocal talents at a city centre venue.
Miss Webber first started singing lessons with Ronan, runner up in the hit show this year, about three and a half years ago.
And while the Framingham Earl High School pupil has seen a meteoric rise in stardom, his singing teacher has seen an increased number of students.
Miss Webber, who grew up in Wales with a mother who was a trained opera singer, has now set up her singing lessons in the Open youth venue in Bank Plain, Norwich.
Ronan, now 13, paid her and some of her pupils a visit yesterday to check out her new singing studio.
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Miss Webber, who lives in Blofield Heath, said: 'Open is such a beautiful place, it's stunning and people like walking into the building. It feels like a place for singing which is lovely.
'I've been very busy since Ronan and I wanted him to come and see what this place is like. It's a youth venue and Ronan is a good example.'
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Miss Webber works two full days at Open, giving lessons to 30 students, ranging in age from seven to over 70.
'I take anybody from anything whether it's singing for fun or for a career,' she said. 'I've got people in their seventies, a lot of adults, a girl who is going off for a professional audition, all kinds of students and I do all styles, pop, theatre, a little bit of opera.'
Alison Downes, whose seven-year-old granddaughter Ezara-Mai Downes is Miss Webber's youngest student, said: 'She's thoroughly enjoying it.
'When she is with Kay, you can hear that she is in a little world of her own. Kay is brilliant with the students. Ezara-Mai started off with half hour lessons and now goes for an hour.'
Ronan, meanwhile, has been busily preparing his forthcoming album which is due to be released on October 24.
He is also set to perform for two nights at Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea on October 21 and 23.
The teenager said: 'Working with Kay as a singing teacher was amazing for me and I know other people must enjoy her lessons too. I'm really glad that she's going so strong and the facilities here at Open are really amazing.'
For more information about Miss Webber's singing lessons or the facilities at Open, call Open on 01603 763111.
Do you know a talented youngster? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.
