A SCHOOLTEACHER who left life in the classroom to open her own remote-learning ‘virtual music school’ organised a virtual concert for her students around the world to take part in.

Tracy Rose, 49, from Barnsley, began playing the piano aged six and studied at the London College of Music before teaching in Spain for 13 years.

After craving a change in career, she began giving music lessons via Skype in 2013.

She set up her own virtual music school, Music Lessons Anywhere, which she runs from her home.

Tracy grew up in Athersley, where she helped with her parents’ shop ‘Bungalow Stores’ on Rotherham Road. She attended St Helen’s Comprehensive in Athersley before moving to London but now lives on a barge currently moored outside Manchester.

Over the past 13 years the school has grown and now has 14 teachers from across the globe teaching many instruments.

“I really enjoy it,” said Tracy.

“The best part is teaching students from all over the world.

“We have students from 30 countries including England, Guam and New Zealand.”

In order to showcase her students’ talent, Tracy decided to create a virtual concert for students from all over the world to take part in.

The event is unique as it features performances from students all over the world who perform via Skype, with the end performance broadcast live on YouTube.

“I think the concert is the first of its kind,” added Tracy.

“We show students live from all over the world and the concert is screened in one venue and then live streamed for everyone to enjoy.”

The concert, which took place on Saturday, is in its sixth consecutive year and is growing each year.

“This year we even had a little concert performance from an international school in Luanda, Angola so it became a concert within a concert,” said Tracy.

See musiclessonsanywhere.net for more details.