The Brennan Academy of Performing Arts & Agency in north Kildare raised n2,000 in the run up to Christmas for groups locally.
The academy was set up by four Brennan sisters, in uncertain economic times. Leixlip was the first school established and
has now been running for over a year.
Fiona Fennelly, one of the sisters - the others are Laura Brennan, Annamare Deacon and Noella McCann - said that due to popular demand the sisters ran another evening in Maynooth.
The Brennans are originally from Gorey in Wexford but now live in Leixlip, Celbridge and Maynooth.
They trained and worked in the industry for past 15 years in Dublin, London and USA.
Also involved in the Academy are Ronnie McCann, who runs the Agency), and the dance teacher, Vicky Barry from Kildare town.
Ciara Faye, the facilitator, and Fiona Kerrigan, a deputy dance teacher, are also involved.
Last September the sisters set up another evening of classes in Enfield and a further evening in Maynooth
Their pre-Christmas concert in St. Mary's GAA Hall in Leixlip and raised n1,000 for the senior citizens in Maynooth and a further n1,000 for the youth club in Leixlip.
Before this they also raised n1,000 for Scoil Mhuire Leixlip and Girls Presentation School Maynooth.
Children aged from three to seventeen sang Christmas Songs, acted various drama pieces which included 'Scrooge', 'The Twits', 'Cinders', 'Nativity Play' and danced their socks off.
Students, who will be working towards their main shows this term, will have various workshops, including in camera technique for television and film, mime and stage combat.
"After the success of the Christmas Charity Show, we will definitely do this again next Christmas with the hope to raise even more for charity," said Fiona.
Students at the academy will have potential casting opportunities and participation in TV shows.
Some were on TOAST on The Den last year and also on EYE 2 EYE.
Around 250 children are involved in the Academy with no more than fifteen students in a class.
For more information on the Brennan Academy of Performing Arts you can contact Fiona Brennan on 01 6247728 or email brennanperformingarts@hotmail.com or check out their website www.brennanperformingarts.com.
