Hi, I'm Dale, and through my school I offer a wide range of Performing Arts classes, teaching Acting, Singing and Dance skills to children as well as adults in the Rangiora and North Canterbury area. My school presents two major Children's Theatre Musical Stage shows each year and gives my students a fun, confidence building environment in which to follow their dreams. We offer the following cla
sses:
Preschool Options
Preschool / New Entrant Drama & Music Combo Age:3.5 - 6yrs. These classes cover creativity, communication, poetry, characterization, physicality, simple singing and music among other things and are very popular. The small classes are aimed at helping young children adapt to a classroom environment and being able to share their ideas, work creatively with others, have confidence to speak up, engage with music and song and communicate clearly. This is also a popular class at channelling energy from bright and energetic youngsters who need an outlet as well as recognition for their creative flare. The students all get to take part in our Major Production as part of their class
Drama Options
Junior Drama Age 6-9yrs. Our Junior and Upper Junior drama classes cover creativity, communication, poetry, characterisation among other things and are very popular. The classes are small so there is lots of individual attention. As they grow they can opt to sit Trinity College speech or communication exams and enter the ChCh speech and drama competitions. The students all get to take part in our Major Production as part of their class and can audition for extra parts also. Intermediate Drama Age 11-13yrs. Students learn basics of voice production, improvisation and stage skills. The classes are small so there is lots of individual attention.They take part in our Major production as part of their class and can audition for extra parts also. They compete in our annual Theatre Sports Competition, the Speech & Drama competitions and can sit Trinity College Exams at the end of the year. All classes place a focus on creativity, confidence and communication. These classes build on skills in Improvisation, Acting and Speaking. Students work on poetry, prose and plays, take part in our Theatre sports and Major Senior Production as part of their class and they can audition for extra parts as well. All classes include background theory necessary for Trinity College exams and place importance on personal growth as well as stage skills being gained. Advanced Senior Drama Age 15-18yrs.
1hr long Trios or 40min Pairs lessons designed to focus on each students’ strengths and weaknesses in Speech, Communication, Acting and Theatre Skills. All advanced seniors take part in our Major production as part of a show class and can audition for extra parts also. Students can attend specialty classes as part of their course, sit Trinity College exams to Diploma level, present work in Senior Recitals and gain experience teaching and directing. These are lessons which cater to the specific goals of the students. Private Half Hour Drama Classes Various times available, please enquire. These private sessions are designed to focus on the students’ personal strengths and weaknesses in Speech, Communication, Acting and Theatre Skills. Students can opt to sit Trinity College exams to Diploma level, present work in our Recitals and opt to audition for roles in our Major Productions. These are lessons which cater to the specific goals of the student, they can be booked across a term or individually as students require. Please email [email protected] to enquire. Singing Options
Combined Junior Glee Club Singing - Age 5-9yrs. An introduction to music and voice. This is not your average Choir, the kids learn musicality, technique and breathing all with fun songs they know staged and performed. The year includes being part of the Major Production as well as other recital opportunities. Intermediate Glee Club Singing - Age 10-13yrs. Designed to build confidence and teach good vocal skills in breathing, technique, harmony singing as well as some solo performance. This is a fun and up-beat group using songs the kids know, set to choreographed movement. Student get the chance to perform at local events and be part of the Major Senior Production. Experience with radio and hand held microphones and solo singing is included. Senior Singing Group - Age 13-18yrs. A young adult singing group with a strong focus on vocal skill and musicality. Students continue to learn and improve their technique and ear for harmonies and musical dynamics. Private Singing Lessons.- Weekdays at various times. Half hour or 45minute sessions For solo singers who wish to fine tune their technique and improve their range and singing style. Can be taken as a solo lesson or as a pair, sharing the cost with another. Excellent when paired with membership in one of our Glee groups where you will get to use the skills you build. Involvement with Major production if you wish and exams available as an option. Senior Exam students must take a 45min slot. Dance Options
Tap Dancing
Beginner Tap - Ages 5-yrs +. Intermediate Tap - Ages 7yrs+
Senior/Advanced Tap -Ages 10yrs+
Our tap classes focus on tap technique, rhythms and expressions, following the lines of traditional American and English styling, but also incorporating our own HSPA flair. Our younger tap classes use listening to identify patterns and rhythms, focusing on beats and strength, whilst our intermediate and senior classes work on building ankle strength, learning time-steps and shuffling patterns, and working at a moderate to high pace to complete sections. Tap is examined through NZAMD and perform in our annual show. Please note these classes are based on ability rather than age. The teacher will help new students to discover the level they should start at. Junior Jazz Foundation Class
Junior Foundation Class - Ages 5-8yrs. An introduction dance class designed to teach all of the basics of dance to set your young ones up to pursue Jazz, Hip Hop or Contemporary Dance. The Exams are in Jazz because this syllabus represents the most versatile and all encompassing syllabus from which to spring into other dance forms. This is the class for your young dancer who is not quite sure which style of dance they wish to be doing just yet. These classes are examined through Dance NZ Made (DNZM) once a year, and perform in our annual show. Musical Theatre Jazz Dancing
Intermediates - Ages 9-12yrs
Seniors - Ages 12-18yrs
Our Musical theatre Jazz sessions are fast-paced, busy classes which work on many of the principles of dance including pointing, line-work and crossing the midline (at a junior level) and flexibility, leaps and turns (at a senior level). We work on a form of Jazz dance most useful for Musical Theatre. These classes are examined through NZAMD Jazz syllabus once a year, and perform in our annual show. Contemporary Lyrical Dancing
Upper Juniors - Ages 8-10yrs. Intermediates - Ages 11-13yrs. Seniors - Ages 12-18yrs. Advanced Seniors (For more experienced dancers) -Ages 12-18yrs
A newer form of dance, our contemporary classes are lyrical and modern. This genre works with unusual timings and is very expressive. Contemporary dance traditionally asks students to dance outside the box; incorporating floorwork, rolls, leaps and turns. We aim to teach the fundamentals of flexibility training, ensuring this is done safely. Hip-Hop Dancing
Juniors - Ages 5-7yrs. Upper Juniors - Ages 8-10yrs. Intermediates - Ages 10-13yrs. Seniors/Advanced Seniors - Ages12-18yrs
Our Hip Hop classes are a combination of modern, world-inspired hip hop and 'old skool' styles, drawing from the many sub-genres of hip hop including tutting and poly-swag. In class, we look at strength, grounding and balance, along with the core HSPA principles of gaining confidence and having fun. Our choreography and music choices vary depending on what we are working on term-to-term, and are always child-friendly. In the past, our Hip Hop students have performed and competed at various events locally. These classes are examined through Dance NZ Made (DNZM) once a year, and partake in the annual show. Private Dance Lessons.- Various evenings
Half hour sessions For solo dancers who wish to fine tune their technique, focus on specifics, and improve their dance generally. Excellent when paired with membership in one of our dance groups where you will get to use the skills you build. Dance Technique:
Upper Junior/Intermediate Stretch,Leap & SpinTechnique - Ages 7-12yrs
Session to focus on specific skills of dance, including balance, turning technique and general flexibility. This class is a must for dancers who wish tobuild confidence in their specific dance form. Hannah will use a range of techniques gathered from her years of dance, but based in the NZAMD Stretch, Leap & Spin syllabus. Senior Refine - Ages 12-18yrs
A companion class for anyone taking a dance class. Focus on building strength, balance, working on technique for turns and leaps and anything that the dancers in the classes require to improve their performance on stage and in exams. Commercial Dance - Ages 13yrs+
Focused at seniors and pre professionals wanting to go into the industry. Every second session you will learn fast paced trendy choreography then polish to a professional standard the following week. Options to get a creative video of the dance at the end of class! Musical Theatre Options
Junior Musical Theatre Class Ages 7-10yrs
Primary aged combo class for students wishing to try their hand and drama, singing and dance in one fun class. The perfect companion class for students who already study one discipline and would like some exposure to the other genres to build their confidence in preparation for auditioning and taking part in our annual Musical Theatre shows. Trinity Musical Theatre Exam options. This class will present work in the Junior Show. Intermediate Musical Theatre Class Ages 11-13yrs
Intermediate aged combo class for students wishing to try their hand and drama, singing and dance in one fun class. This class will present work in the Intermediate /Senior Show. Senior Musical Theatre Class Ages 14+
Intermediate & High School combo class for students wishing to try their hand and drama, singing and dance in one fun class. The perfect companion class for students who already study one discipline and would like some exposure to the other genres to build their confidence in preparation for auditioning and taking part in our annual Senior Musical Theatre show. Beginner Adults Mixed Dance Class : Open Age Range. No experience necessary! This is a class for those who would love to have a go at dance with no pressure of performing or sitting exams. The class will focus on Contemporary dance style and work on fun routines to modern music. Expect to build on your fitness and flexibility as well as enjoy learning interesting dance routines. With an open age range, this class would suit those who would like to learn with their child!! Contemporary is a barefoot dance style so just come in your comfy clothes and learn to dance!! Our Staff:
All tutors are qualified and experienced in their field. All have Directed, Choreographed or Vocal Coached for stage (many with us) and so come with experience in live performance and what is required. Our tutors have been asked to teach at Court Theatre and elsewhere, and have performed extensively themselves. They are great role models and very capable in their field. Our school gives advanced senior students the opportunity to move into a teaching role if they wish, and this is done in a structured environment to support their learning. We believe this allows students to aim high and allows younger students to gain energy and enthusiasm from fresh new teachers who have the benefit of good support structures from management. Our School:
The school has been operating since 1996 and in that time has built a great reputation based on a reliable and unique structure. We pack a lot of things into our year, students come out feeling they have achieved a lot through their involvement with us. We cultivate a great family atmosphere in the school and do not tolerate bullying or elitist behaviour. Students gain self esteem, life skills, and friendships along with their performance skills when they attend our classes. We are confident in this. We welcome feedback and an open dialogue between staff and our clients. We are here to help build confidence and happy young people. We do this best through good communication and understanding of our clients.
