Archive for the ‘STAR System’ Category

Mary Poppins Term for 4-6 year olds

Thursday, April 6th, 2017

This April the theme of our Little Stars classes for 4-6 year old’s is based on P.L. Travers’ classic story – Mary Poppins.

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Each week we will be looking at the characters from the story and through drama games and exercises your child will have the opportunity to role-play a day in the life of their favourite character.

Whether your child loves Bert, Jane, Michael or Mary Poppins herself we will inspire them to explore this magical world using their imagination.

Our drama games are specially designed to fully engage your child and we only measure how much fun they are having and not who the “winner” is!

The first building block of our STAR system is “S” for Self-confidence and whether your child is a natural performer or a little shy we make sure they have the opportunity to shine in class.

We develop your child’s self-confidence each week.

Each class includes singing and after we have carefully warmed up your child’s voice they will start to learn some of the songs from this story.

We know that some kids love singing and others are less confident.  The “T” in our STAR system is Teamwork.  Teamwork is really effective in group singing.  We allow all the children in a class to work together as a group and help each other learn lyrics.

Your child will learn how to tell this story in a creative way by singing in character.  The confident singers in the class have the opportunity to sing solo or in a duet.

The “A” in our STAR System is Active learning – this is learning by doing.  This is really key in dance.

Each Little Stars class includes dance training.  Your child will learn how to warm-up their body correctly.  They will learn a dance in a musical theatre style and another dance to some of the latest pop tunes.

Your child will learn dance steps taught by a professional teacher with a background in performing arts.

It’s then our job over the course of the term to bring all this learning together.  The “R” in our STAR System is Realising potential.  Your child will realise their own potential by attending these fun and creative classes each week.

So why not give your child the golden ticket to our fantastic training in drama, dance and singing this September.

Classes in Beckenham, Bromley, Croydon, Orpington and West Wickham.

We offer a no obligation FREE trial class to all new students.  Get in touch to book or sign up for our monthly newsletter to be first in line for our performing arts news and our latest offers.



Spotlight on the Davey family

Thursday, August 25th, 2016

This week we checked in with the Davey family to find out how Emma (age 9) and Jack (age 6) have been doing in our drama, dance and singing classes in Orpington.

 

Both Emma and Jack started in our Little Stars class at the age of 4.  Emma has now graduated into our three hour Saturday session at Newstead Wood School.  We asked their Dad, Dan, what attracted them to Spotlights in the first place:

“Emma always enjoyed dancing and singing around the house.  Jack saw his sister enjoying herself at Spotlights and so wanted to join too.”

Dan first became aware of Spotlights at a school fete where our students were presenting some dancing and singing, “we had seen a class perform at a school fete so this had got our attention. The class was also in the local area and covered different areas of performance to help grow kids’ confidence – that’s why I chose Spotlights.”

It is always interesting to hear what children themselves say to their parents about our classes.  Dan admits that Emma and Jack tell him, “Sometimes nothing!! But mostly quite a lot about the fun they have had with their friends.  Usually it will be about a new dance routine or a song that they are learning.”

Emma and Jack often talk to their friends about the classes too, “Emma chats quite happily about it, rehearsing moves and practicing things with her friends while at school. Jack is different and not quite as chatty anyway, so probably only remembers to tell his friends after his performance and he can show off with a certificate!”

We love the fact that we get lots of referrals from current parents.  Dan tells his friends, “the kids really seem to enjoy their time there and learn dancing, singing and acting, which so good for confidence when they are up on stage.”

When we plan our lessons in drama, dance and singing we use our unique STAR System curriculum.

The “S” in our STAR System stands for “self-confidence” and we make sure that every child is given opportunities to build their confidence in each discipline.

It’s great to hear how Emma has benefited from this, “Emma’s confidence has considerably improved as she now enjoys being on stage performing, even if she still has a few butterflies.”

The “T” in our STAR System is for “teamwork”. Dan says, “Both my children seem to realise the importance of working together for the benefit of a team, so that the overall performance is more important than the individuals.”

Each of our sessions includes dance.  The “A” in our STAR System stands for “active learning”.  This describes how we teach dance by getting all the children actively engaged and learning the steps from a professional teacher in performing arts.

Emma has even taken this technique outside the classroom, “Emma loves dancing best.  She really enjoys music videos and copying dance moves with friends or at home, she loves the energy of the music and being able to perform to it.”

The “R” in our STAR System stands for “realising potential” and our mission is to ensure that every child we work with can realise their potential through our performing arts classes.

Dan’s view on this for Emma and Jack is, “they both come out of classes very happy and full of beans usually wanting to chat about the experience, this is so lovely to hear as a parent.  Their school teachers have noted their achievements and mentioned their ability to hold their classes attention when talking about things.  If they could both realise that there are opportunities out there for them growing up with a performance trained background, then this would be brilliant.  Overall Spotlights does an excellent job thanks to all staff members – the kids love coming along, well done and thank you!!

If you would like to find out more about how our drama, dance and singing classes can help your child with self-confidence, teamwork, active learning and realising their potential please get in touch to book a FREE trial class and sign up to our monthly newsletter for further updates.

 



 

 

 

Spotlight on the Skillicorn family

Tuesday, August 16th, 2016

We recently caught up with the Skillicorn family to find out how Thomas (age 7) has been doing in our Little Stars drama, dance and singing classes in Croydon

 

Thomas has been coming to Spotlights for 18 months now.  We wanted to know what attracted his dad, Paul, to Spotlights in the first place:

“I wanted Thomas to try a wide range of extra curricula activities.  Spotlights appealed because he got the opportunity to try something different and fun in a friendly, non-pressurised environment.  The performing arts class on Saturday’s was recommended to me by friends”.

We love the fact that we get lots of friends of current parents bringing their children to a free trial class.  Having been recommended himself, Paul now tells his friends that the class is, “a fun introduction to acting, singing and dancing in a friendly environment – I would recommend any interested parent takes their child for a trial.  The trial is free so you have nothing to lose by testing out the class”.

It is always interesting to hear what children themselves say to their parents about our classes.  Thomas, “really enjoys talking about the end-of-term show and what role he’s going to play”.

When we plan our lessons in drama, dance and singing we use our unique STAR System.  The “S” in our STAR System stands for “self-confidence” and we make sure that every child is given opportunities to build their confidence in each discipline.

It’s great to hear that Thomas has benefited from this, “Thomas is definitely much more confident being on stage and loves being dramatic at home.  Before Spotlights, Thomas was very shy about performing on stage, and quite tearful at the prospect of school Christmas shows. He’s now much happier being on stage in front of an audience. He now looks forward to the opportunity to dress up in costume and act out the part”.

The “T” in our STAR System is for “teamwork”.  “It is very noticeable that Thomas now enjoys being on stage with others.  He also enjoys helping the younger children with their lines”.

Each Little Stars class includes dance.  The “A” in our STAR System stands for “active learning”.  This describes how we teach dance by getting all the children actively engaged and learning the steps from a professional teacher in performing arts.  It’s brilliant to hear that Thomas’ “dancing has improved!  He has enjoyed learning the choreography for the end of term show”.

The “R” in our STAR System stands for “realising potential” and our mission is to ensure that every child we work with can realise their potential through our performing arts classes.  Paul’s view on this for Thomas is, “we love seeing him really put everything into the end of term show and finish the show with a big smile”.

If you would like to find out more about how our drama, dance and singing classes can help your child with self-confidence, teamwork, active learning and realising their potential please get in touch and sign up to our monthly newsletter to find our more.



 

 

 

Calling all 4-6 year old Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Fans

Friday, August 12th, 2016

This September the theme of our Little Stars classes for 4-6 year old’s is based on Roald Dahl’s classic story – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

 

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Each week we will be looking at the characters from the story and through drama games and exercises your child will have the opportunity to role-play a day in the life of their favourite character.

Whether your child loves Veruca Salt, Augustus Gloop or Willy Wonka himself we will inspire them to explore this magical world using their imagination.

Our drama games are specially designed to fully engage your child and we only measure how much fun they are having and not who the “winner” is!

The first building block of our STAR system is “S” for Self-confidence and whether your child is a natural performer or a little shy we make sure they have the opportunity to shine in class.

We develop your child’s self-confidence each week.

Each class includes singing and after we have carefully warmed up your child’s voice they will start to learn some of the songs from this story.

We know that some kids love singing and others are less confident.  The “T” in our STAR system is Teamwork.  Teamwork is really effective in group singing.  We allow all the children in a class to work together as a group and help each other learn lyrics.

Your child will learn how to tell this story in a creative way by singing in character.  The confident singers in the class have the opportunity to sing solo or in a duet.

The “A” in our STAR System is Active learning – this is learning by doing.  This is really key in dance.

Each Little Stars class includes dance training.  Your child will learn how to warm-up their body correctly.  They will learn a dance in a musical theatre style and another dance to some of the latest pop tunes.

Your child will learn dance steps taught by a professional teacher with a background in performing arts.

It’s then our job over the course of the term to bring all this learning together.  The “R” in our STAR System is Realising potential.  Your child will realise their own potential by attending these fun and creative classes each week.

So why not give your child the golden ticket to our fantastic training in drama, dance and singing this September.

Classes in Beckenham, Bromley, Croydon, Orpington and West Wickham.

We offer a no obligation FREE trial class to all new students.  Get in touch to book or sign up for our monthly newsletter to be first in line for our performing arts news and our latest offers.