Make Noise and LastAct Academy raise over £16500 for charity

Catherine Last, a professional performer turned entrepreneur, has helped bring happiness to many people in Formby since her return from London where she lived for 12 years.

The mum of 3, who was raised in Formby, launched Make Noise Choir in September 2015. What started with just 30 singers at the first rehearsal has now over 150 members. The following year, Catherine launched Make Noise 2 choir for children aged 8-17 which now has 60 members. The choir has sung at countless events and has raised over £16,500 for various charities in just 2 years. They have recently raised £2600 for Rainbow House at their annual Christmas Concert at Our Lady of Compassion RC Church in December.

An audience of 400 were entertained with a wide range of songs, with unique arrangements by Catherine. Make Noise also sang at Queenscourt Hospice, The Walton Centre and Alder Hey last month to bring some extra festive joy. During her acting career, Catherine’s credits included a UK tour of ‘The Buddy Holly Story’, two years performing in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantos at the Liverpool Everyman, musical director with the Globe Theatre education department, BBC radio plays and TV adverts amongst others. This propelled Catherine to launch her own theatre school LastAct Academy with her husband (professional actor and musical director Greg Last) in September 2018.

Their first term proved so popular that they have had to open an additional day starting this month. The school currently offers a rounded Musical Theatre training for children aged 3-18 and runs on Friday afternoons/evenings and Saturday mornings. The school will be performing their ‘Big Show’ at the Atkinson Theatre on Saturday 16 th March. Catherine also runs a singing studio from her home where she has over 30 private students. Many of her pupils compete in music festivals and take exams with an impressive 100% success rate at merit or distinction. In addition, Catherine teaches singing at St Luke’s Primary School, St Jerome’s Primary School and Formby High School.

Catherine says, “I am so proud of the achievements of Make Noise, LastAct Academy and all of my singing students. My biggest joy is knowing that through my work, children and adults alike have been able to express themselves in a completely safe, encouraging environment. Music and theatre are my life and to bring that to Formby whilst raising thousands of pounds for charity makes me incredibly proud. Both Make Noise and LastAct Academy are growing rapidly and I am so excited about the future of both”.

If you would like more information about Make Noise, visit the website www.makenoisechoir.co.uk or if you would like to hear more about LastAct, visit www.lastactacademy.co.uk