A north-east based music and movement group for babies and pre-school children is celebrating after winning a national award.
Abricabeats won at this year’s What’s On 4 Kids Awards that took place at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey.
Owner of Abricabeats, Angela Peden, 47, who set up the company in 2007, said: “For us to go down there and actually win, put in this way, I didn’t have a speech prepared, so it was quite a big thing.
‘It was phenomenal, a dream come true’
“To get down there and be a finalist was massive, I had no idea that we would even get runner up, never mind actually winning, it was phenomenal, a dream come true.”
The independent company hosts classes throughout the north-east, from Ellon to Stonehaven, in around 20 different venues.
Along with Miss Peden, who comes from Westhill, the organisation employs two other staff, Eve Ferguson, 40, and Vikki Turner, 30.
The aim of Abricabeats is to introduce children to the magic of music while making sure adults have a fun time as well.
From oil and gas to teaching music
At weekly classes youngsters sing and dance along to music which spans a variety of genres, including country, electronic dance, rock, pop, classical and everything in between.
Prior to starting up her own business, Mrs Peden worked for an oil company and after having a baby, went on maternity leave and always planned to go back to work, but had a change of heart, saying:
“After having a baby, I didn’t want to go back to work full-time and put my child into a nursery, so I was like ‘what can I do?’ Because I’m a musician and a mum, I decided to teach music.”
‘It’s such a privilege to be recognised for our passion’
What’s On 4 Kids Awards placed Abricabeats as winner of Most Loved Music, Dance or Performing Arts Activity Franchisor or Independent With Up To Five Leaders Overall finished as a highly commended runner up in the Most Loved Baby Activity Franchisor or Independent With Up To Five Leaders Overall.
Mrs Peden said: “It’s such a privilege to be recognised for our passion to teach children the magic of music in the north-east.
“To win a UK award, we were the real underdog and to win an award as big as that is a dream come true.”
The success is not the organisation’s first, as they won the Best Baby/Toddler Class in Aberdeenshire at the Raring2go! awards in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Conversation