January always brings the feeling of a fresh start, a chance to make a change or to try a new hobby perhaps! After the Christmas break full of fun, festive games and pantomimes you may have noticed a newfound confidence in your child to engage with their creative side! It could be the perfect time to start a new hobby and Performing Arts may be the perfect route for your child! James Aconley, Principal at PQA York explains how Performing Arts can develop key skills for life!
‘‘Whether it be diving into their dressing up box or stepping onto the stage, performing is important to children and young people, and the benefits of this can often go unnoticed. Performing arts can teach them key skills that can be used in everyday life.
Creativity – Children are naturally imaginative, and pretend play and make-believe come easily to them. Imaginative play can enable a child’s social and emotional development, helping them to form new ideas and develop resourcefulness.
Problem-solving – The ability to solve problems creatively within the safety of a performing arts environment can be transferred to everyday life when dealing with a variety of issues. If children feel comfortable exploring and dealing with problems in a non-linear way, this makes them more confident overall.
Empathy – Performances are a classic form of storytelling, not only for entertainment but for sharing tales and ideas. Performing in character can help children appreciate another person’s point of view. To accurately portray a character, we need to be able to step into their shoes, understand their situation and what has brought them to that situation. If a child understands a character in this way, they can apply this to everyday life, helping them to react to friends and adults, developing their social skills.
Listening – The ability to listen is an important skill, especially when a child is in a new setting, with new routines and expectations. During performing arts classes children, take direction from their teachers and peers. This encourages them to be receptive to others’ ideas and work collaboratively.
Confidence Building – Some children are never happier than putting on a show for their family and friends, but for some standing up in front of an audience can be daunting. Performing arts are hugely beneficial to children confidence levels. Learning new skills, rehearsing, and performing in a safe space, with the support of expert teachers and the encouragement of their peers, can prepare children to deal with situations in which they feel anxious.
At PQA York, we have three core modules, Musical Theatre, Comedy & Drama and Film & Television, which provide our students with the very best mix of both performance-based and technical training as well as provide them with skills for life to help them grow into well-rounded individuals.’’
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? PQA YORK ARE ENROLLING NOW FOR THEIR FANTASTIC PERFORMING ARTS TRAINING ON FRIDAY ACADEMY 3RD FEB
Due to popular demand, in February 2023 PQA York will be launching a brand new Friday evening Academy for 6-18-year-olds. The Academy will run every Friday from 4.45 pm-8.00 pm.
PQA York runs at Huntington School, York, YO32 9WT
– Every Friday 4.45pm – 8.00pm
– Every Saturday 9.45am – 1.00pm and 1.45pm – 5.00pm
PLEASE NOTE: Saturday Academy for 4-18 year olds operates every weekend with spaces subject to availability. Please contact us for more details.
YOU’RE INVITED TO THE FREE OPEN DAY! AND USE OUR SPECIAL LITTLE VIKINGS DISCOUNT CODE
PQA are kicking off the launch of their brand new academy with a free open day, welcoming 6 – 18 year olds and their parents, family and friends through our doors for the very first time!
Classes are split into age specific groups:
GREEN GROUP – 6-9 YEAR OLDS
BLUE GROUP – 10-12 YEAR OLDS
RED GROUP – 13-18 YEAR OLDS
(Poppets for 4-5 year olds is available at our Saturday Academy subject to availability. Find out more here).
You are invited to come along and experience our acting, singing, dancing and filmmaking classes, meet the PQA team and chat to your Principal and HQ staff about all things PQA over tea and cake!
If your child enjoys the day and would like to join PQA York’s brand new Friday evening Academy you can quote discount code LITTLEVIKINGS to the team to receive your first 4 weeks free!
BOOK THE OPEN DAY!
Book the open day – Click here to complete the form to register your interest
For further information on PQA York contact Principal James Aconley at james@pqacademy.com or call 07753 179070.
