What we do in the Performing Arts School lessons..

Dance: The dance course involves choreographed routines and freestyle work in varying styles including jazz, stage, tap, ballet, highland, various world dance traditions and modern hip hop. Throughout the session students will work on their co-ordination, musicality, presentation, style, deportment, technique and strength. A general warm up begins the session training the student some limbering and stretching routines to encourage suppleness and body strength. Students will then be taught dances specific to the style being incorpoated in the next production. At times students are encouraged to choreograph sections within larger works to encourage them to develop their imagination and own choreography skills.

Drama: The drama lessons focus on many different aspects of theatre. The aim with the younger children is to develop imagination, observation, discipline and mainly confidence. Using improvised scenes, script work and poetry; we develop voice projection, stage presence and characterisation. The students are encouraged to work individually and in groups of varying size. With the older children we work on more advanced dramatic techniques and scripts. We explore dramatic styles, accents and character movement as well as audition technique and monologues. There is also the opportunity for older students to take a LAMDA examination in drama.

Singing: This course aims to develop the social, emotional and physical aspects of singing. Every student will develop his or her singing technique, musical knowledge and self confidence. Throughout the session students will learn about the following: vocal exercises, breathing technique, posture, structure, expression, dynamics, tempo, rhythm, pitch, harmony, melodic range, melodic shape, musical form and musical style. Students will learn to follow a conductor and illustrate the meaning or drama of a song through facial expression, movement and staging. Individually they will develop their vocal tone, control, range, volume and expressive quality. Singing lessons will include a variety of solo and ensemble work and will be based on a variety of musical styles depending on the focus of the lesson and the forthcoming theme of the Production.