A SCHOOLTEACHER who left the classroom for a recording studio has launched her debut EP.

Oonagh Cassidy, 29, who taught year three pupils at Wingrove Primary School in Fenham, Newcastle, has signed a three-year deal with North East music firm Break Free.

She took a year out from teaching last summer to pursue her music career.

The folk singer splits her time between Tynemouth and Berlin, where she sings with a band called Video-Rideo, and has performed in dozens of North pubs and clubs since moving from Belfast three years ago.

The EP – Then and Again – includes a cover of the Cyndi Lauper classic Time After Time and three original compositions.

The record – and a video for Time After Time, filmed in Middlesbrough – was launched in Newcastle this month.

She said: “I’m going to dedicate this year to my music. It feels so good to be doing it and have my songs properly produced for the EP. I just love music and it is fabulous I’ve had the opportunity to do the video as well. When I was teaching, I still did a lot of singing, but it’s been lovely to dedicate so much time to it.

“It’s a totally different challenge to teaching in a primary school. Music can be quite unforgiving and it’s a lot of hard work.” She said: “I’m really excited about the launch and all of this still fells like a bit of a dream, to be honest.”

It is hoped the album will be in stores next month.

To hear a couple of tracks on Oonagh’s EP and view the Time After Time video, see www.journallive.co.uk/culture