The Laurettes musician Lynette Beaton on her life so far

Singer and songwriter Lynette Beaton is one half of the incredible indie folk band The Laurettes but that is only one part of her story.

At only 34 years old, the former high school music teacher who studied at the Royal Conservatoire has built up a musical and performing empire from scratch.

Lynette set up Prominence Academy of Performing Arts with her friend Lauren Mortimer ten years ago which now has hundreds of talented children doing theatre, drama, song and dance.

At the same time the super talented musician also built her own baby music brand Boogie Bugs which was ahead of its time.

But somewhere in between it all she goes off on tour with band mate Lauren O'Donoghue and they have also released their first album.

Fresh from performing at the Islay Whisky Festival, Lynette said: "When I was a student at the Royal Conservatoire I used to look about me and I had imposter syndrome. I had to push myself really hard to get in. I never really believed I was as good.

"But I have always worked so, so hard. My dad always told us to make your hobby your job and get the best out of life. I have lived by that.

"I was never really good at believing in myself. I still have moments and I think this is crazy, and how did it all happen."

After making it into the world famous school, Lynette also started joining bands and doing live gigs, and she met Lauren and together they would become The Laurettes.

Around the same time, through musical theatre in Inverclyde, she met Lauren Mortimer, and together they hatched a plan for Prominence.

Lynette wtih Lauren Mortimer (Image: George Munro)

During the day Lynette worked as a music teacher, first at St Andrew's High in Paisley, then Clydeview and Notre Dame in Gourock and Greenock respectively, whilst also being involved in productions and singing in bands.

Lynette said: "Although I thought I always wanted to be a music teacher I knew early on that was not all I wanted to do.

"I got involved working with Total Kayos, I also did Greenock Light Opera, I auditioned first time and got a part.

"I also tried my hand at musical theatre directing, I wanted to do it all."

But in the middle of it all in her mid 20s Lynette and Lauren Mortimer decided to take a year out and go travelling the world, ending up in Australia.

She said: "It was amazing, I ticked so much off my bucket list. But at the end of the day we both wanted to come home. Why go round the world when everything you need and want, like your family, is at home?"

Family is where the music started for Lynette, growing up the youngest of four in Castle Levan in Gourock with her incredibly supportive parents Nick, an IBM plant manger, and mum Kate.

She said: "Music was always a big part of life in my family. I have always loved to sing. My mum has a great voice and I think that's where I get it from.

"When you're the youngest, you have to be loud to be heard!

"But I came from an incredible close knit and supportive family.

Like so many in Inverclyde, Lynette benefited from the top class school music system, progressing through the orchestras and choirs while a pupil at St Ninian's and then St Columba's.

A talented violinist and pianist, Lynette also plays the guitar.

She added: "My mum and dad were always supportive of whatever we wanted to do."

On her return from travelling Lynette set about making all her dreams come true and pursued her performing.

She said: "I loved teaching, I loved the children, it is the most incredible job and it is a vocation. Being a music teacher is a massive commitment and I had so much going on. Eventually I decided to go in a different direction."

Building up Prominence and Boogie Bug became a passion for Lynette while The Laurettes reformed and started to do gigs.

Boogie Bugs in the park (Image: George Munro)

Then the pandemic hit, and  Lynette set up a live music lockdown page with Lauren O'Donoghue, which saved the local music scene and also raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes.

Since then the Laurettes have never looked back, going from strength to strength with their all female band members.

They have played Murrayfield at the Six Nations, Tartan Week in New York, and have festivals and gigs lined up right through until the end of the summer.

And they are playing with some of their heroes including Skerryvore and Peat and Diesel.

Lynette said: "I think two moments stand out for me right now. The first was standing there watching all those young people in our tenth anniversary show the Little Mermaid - all those super talented children who had come through the ranks with us. It was special.

"The second is being on stage with the Laurettes and you look out and there are thousands of people singing your own songs back at you. There is not another feeling like it."