A renowned performing arts institution is expanding overseas after opening its first international franchise.

LIPA 4:19, the stage school franchise of the prestigious Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) has launched a new academy in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Martina Nenova, who is an experienced performing arts professional, is the LIPA 4:19 franchise owner and principal and along with partners Nadezhda Nikiforova and Krasimira Hristova has opened the academy, which is based at the Metropolitan Hotel in Sofia.

Two art directors, Boris Pankin and Evgeni Gospodinov, will support the teaching team at LIPA 4:19 Sofia.

LIPA 4:19, which has franchises in the North West and London, offers classes in singing, dancing and acting to children aged between four and 19.

Kerry Watkins, principal of LIPA 4:19, said: “When we established the franchise it was always our ambition that it would be rolled out across the UK and abroad and it’s a big step for the business to open our first international site.

“We’ve worked hard to ensure that the LIPA 4:19 offering and brand is one of real quality so we attract the best franchisees possible to help take our business forward. We look for franchise owners with a passion for the performing arts and a good head for business.

“Martina has fantastic experience and a great contacts book and I’m confident that the Bulgarian franchise will be a huge success.”

Martina Nenova, said: “We’ve been wanting to set up a stage school franchise for a while and there’s such demand for it here in Sofia. We’d heard lots about LIPA 4:19 as it has such a great reputation in the industry for the highest standards of teaching and output so it was the perfect choice for us.”

LIPA 4:19 is the only stage school franchise linked to an established performing arts institute and offers a curriculum-based approach to its classes.