In 2012, local mum of two, and singer/songwriter Nina Bromham (who has worked with Girls Aloud, Boyzone and Dannii Minogue) created Jingle Bugs; a unique musical experience for children aged 0-4, in conjuction with Surrey Arts (Surrey County Council’s music and arts service).
Over just three years, the not-for-profit classes have become a booming success, with more than fifty local mums, dads, grandparents and carers regularly enjoying the Reigate sessions – and in the last few months, have expanded to other areas in the county.
“I’ve been a professional singer since I was twenty years old, gigging all over the world, but when I had children, I realised that the long distance work would have to stop and I wanted to do something that would work around them,” Nina explains.
“I had taken my two to a wonderful local class called Music Tots which was run by a lovely, guitar playing lady called Jenny, who was retiring. I spoke to Jenny and she said that it would be great if someone else were to take over.”
“Surrey Arts, the arts branch of Surrey Council, run the classes and after a frantic fortnight of turning an idea into something more concrete- and brushing up on my guitar playing- I gave them a little demonstration of what I hoped to do, they liked it, and that’s how Jingle Bugs was born!”
The classes, which run at the Colman Redland Centre on Croydon Road in Reigate on Monday and Wednesday mornings and most recently, at the Old Pixham School in Dorking on Tuesday mornings, involve singing, playing musical instruments, sensory props and stories – a formula Nina has found benefits many development skills:
“Our motto is ‘fun with music’ and we try and make everything we do full of fun and enjoyment to engage everyone through music,” the enthusiastic Reigate mum continues. “As well as lots of traditional rhymes, I also use classical and pop music to illustrate themes. It’s amazing the range of developmental benefits music provides, including numeracy, literacy, mobility and social skills.”
With the recent addition of the Dorking class, we’re sure it won’t be long until more local classes are created!
Find out more by visiting: www.jinglebugsmusic.co.uk.
