Following on from our Benefits of Extracurricular Activities feature, we are looking at the benefits and a round-up of Performing Arts classes & holiday clubs for your child.
PERFORMING ARTS Theatre and dance classes are in abundance outwith Edinburgh schools. Many schools put on plays or other performances for which students can sign up or audition. Students who don’t enjoy performing can usually get involved by helping to build stage sets or helping with costumes and the other technical aspects of a staged production.
Classes in Ballet, Tap and other dance styles are widely available across Edinburgh from the age of 3. Some established groups compete in local and national competitions and theatre productions.
Besides learning performance skills, children who join performing arts clubs will build their confidence whilst forging new friendships with like-minded people.
The list below is not exhaustive. We have limited ourselves to just a few establishments known for the quality of their coaching
DANCE Angela Watson School of Dance (Est. 2002) runs Nursery Ballet classes for children aged 3+, and classes in Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance (P1+) and Commercial Dance (P5+). These take place in EH10, EH13, EH14 and EH17. Also offer Holiday Camps. Concessions are available for more than 1 class per week.
Dance Base: Scotland’s National Centre for Dance (Est. 1984) runs baby and toddler classes for children aged 0-5. There is also a Mini Dance Academy (P1-3) and a Junior Dance Academy (P4-6) which provide an introduction to a variety of dance styles including Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz. Based at 14-16 Grassmarket EH1 2JU, weekly classes last 45 minutes.
Dance For All (Est. 1985) runs classes for young people aged 3-18 at 106 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge EH3 5AQ. Preschool Ballet (45 mins/week) is available from age 3-4 years+. Other dance genres on offer are Modern, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Flamenco and Acro (7-12 years and 13-18 years).
Edinburgh Dance Academy (Est.1996) runs classes for young people from 3 years and up at a number of locations across Edinburgh. Dance styles on offer are Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Acro and Commercial. There is a “Chance to Dance” scholarship fund.
Morningside Dance Academy (Est. 1984) runs Nursery Ballet classes (30 minutes/week), classes in Modern and Tap (from P1) , Jazz, Commercial/Street Dance (from P5) and Acro Dance (from age 8). These take place in Morningside and at Grange Dance Studios in EH9.
“ The performing arts tend to unify people in a way that nothing else does. DAVID RUBENSTEIN
DRAMA
Classes at Lyceum Youth Theatre are geared towards young people aged 5-18 and last 1-2 hours per week. Summer workshops include backstage/tech courses are also on offer.
Based at Royal Lyceum Theatre in EH3, the organisation also runs Access Youth Theatre Classes which are tailored specifically for young people with additional needs aged 7-16. Bursary places are available.
Edinburgh Youth Theatre runs weekly classes for young people aged 3-18. Taster sessions are available and sessions last from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the child’s age. Classes take place at Bellfield and St Mark’s Portobello. Financial support is available.
Strange Town Theatre Company provides training for young people aged 5-25. Classes in each 8-16 week term run for 1-2 hours and are based in EH3 and EH6. Bursaries and free places are available.
If your child is aged 5-18 and might benefit from some confidence- and character-building time on stage, what about signing them up to SJM Creative Performance Academy or Holiday Camps.
Everybody deserves extracurricular enrichment, regardless of their family’s financial status. So please look carefully at the individual listings for info. regarding concessions and bursaries. We would also recommend contacting the class organisers for updates regarding fees and financial assistance.
The next few features we are looking at Creative Arts, Music and Sports extracurricular activities in more detail ■