Echo man meets his Waterloo

A HAMPSHIRE singing teacher is taking a chance on striking gold with the tunes that inspired the biggest film of 2008.

Savannah Fuenmayor has a dream of making a living out of music, and is hosting the first of a series of monthly workshops to bring fun and song to the lives of county residents.

And knowing me, knowing you, she instantly realised the perfect theme to inspire people to join in had to be the hits of Abba.

Tomorrow, Savannah, 34, from Eastleigh, launches her Let’s Sing workshop with an afternoon of music from the blockbuster film and smash-hit musical, Mamma Mia!

“It’s for anyone who loves the music. There’s no previous musical experience necessary – the number one thing is to have fun.”

A lead singer in a band in her native Holland, she temporarily put her music career on hold when she moved to Hampshire with husband, Anwar.

Having worked as a branch administrator for a recruitment agency, Savannah decided to get back into singing after having eightmonth- old son Tristan.

As well as giving private singing lessons, Savannah will also be hosting workshops themed around The Beatles, West Side Story and Grease.

● The Let’s Sing Mamma Mia workshop is tomorrow at St Peter’s Church, Shakespeare Road, Boyatt Wood, from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 for adults, with discounts available for students and those on benefits, and £4.50 for children. Contact Savannah on 023 8036 0694.

Thank you for the music, Savannah!

The Daily Echo sent our very own Super Trouper – chief reporter Duncan Eaton – for a special lesson with Savannah. He writes: “I might still be hitting the wrong notes but at least I am word perfect when it comes to the legendary hit Waterloo.

And it is all thanks to my patient teacher Savannah Fuenmayor. The one-to-one tuition was a warm up for when she conducts a choir of Abba faithful in a Mamma Mia! Workshop.

As we sat at the piano as she took me through the technicalities of this catchy tune line by line. Then it was time to dive into the real thing as Savannah switched on the CD player and waves of Waterloo were sweeping across the room.

This really was my Waterloo as I attempted to hold the top note on My My, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger.

I desperately tried to catch my breath as I launched into the next frenzied chorus.

Now I was beginning to realise why I only lasted three weeks before being booted out of the church choir. But my teacher felt I was ready to run through the whole thing.

That was also the cue for me to get into character and slip into a sharp Abba style suit supplied by the very helpful staff at Southampton’s Just For Fun store.

I really looked the biz as I emerged to take centre stage with Savannah.

Our Waterloo double act was going so well that we were beginning to get an audience. Two faces – looking rather amazed at our Abba spectacle – appeared at the window.

But like a true Super Trouper I was determined to carry on to the end. Thank You for the Music Savannah!