Tucked away inside Flat Bastion Magazine are the rehearsal rooms of the recently opened GAMPA (Gibraltar Academy of Music and Performing Arts).

Yesterday afternoon, as students both young and old arrived for tuition and practice sessions, Ministers Licudi and Linares were given a guided tour by the Academy’s Principal Christian Santos and Vice Principal Cathy Batchelor.  

The Academy offers a wide range of courses: students can attend classes covering anything from singing, acting, guitar, percussion and piano and much more.

The music tutors – may of whom were already offering private lessons in Gibraltar before GAMPA opened last September – instruct budding musicians in rooms which used to be old munitions stores and are therefore well soundproofed.

The facility also caters for musicians who need a space in which to practice and stocks a large selection of instruments including plastic saxophones and trombones for youngsters.

There are currently around 300 students, many of whom are working towards ABRSM exams which will in the near future be coordinated with the Gibraltar College.

Mr Santos says that the Academy has been a huge success since it opened. He explained that it now served to bring under one roof local musical and performing arts tuition.

For more information, visit: http://www.gampa.gi