Athlone singer up for national award for 'best kids class'

Local singer Anne Marie Hynes has been nominated for a national award for her popular singalong classes for toddlers and parents.

The Athlone native, who lives in Monksland, started to offer her 'Hummingbirds - Let's Make Music' classes for toddlers and parents last year.

When the Covid-19 lockdown hit, she turned to the web and started providing regular live streaming singalong shows for young children through the Hummingbirds Facebook page.

'Hummingbirds' has now been chosen as one of five finalists for the 'Best Baby/Kids Class' category in Mums & Tots magazine's awards for 2020.

"I am beyond stunned and delighted," said Anne Marie (pictured above) when she learned of her award nomination.

Public voting for the awards is open until October 23, and people who wish to vote for 'Hummingbirds' can do so at: https://mumsandtots.ie/awards/

To vote, click on any category, keep scrolling until you find the 'Baby/Kids Class' section, and submit your vote, including your email address at the end in order for the vote to count.

Anne Marie, a talented vocalist and mother of two, also recently started a series of virtual online singalongs for people who are in nursing homes, care centres, or are simply at home and would like to sing.

The singalongs will be happening every Tuesday, at 11am, for the next few weeks.

They are funded by the Roscommon County Council Creative Ireland programme and operated through the Forget Me Not Community Choir in Athlone.

For a link to access the Tuesday morning singalongs, email Anne Marie at: choirathlone@gmail.com