writing styles - task d

The highly popular oasis school of performing arts has recently developed more classes to include in their already jam packed weekly timetable. The two new classes include a musical theatre workshop and singing workshops. The classes are designed to cater for both boys and girls; aged three to sixteen with any experience level, from dancing around the living room to performing professionally!

Oasis Performing Arts school is based on Silicon Oasis, at the community hall. This venue is ideal for dance, singing and drama classes. It is an extremely large space, has sprung wooden floors, mirrors, air conditioning, great acoustics, toilets, changing rooms and there is a large car park outside. There is also a supermarket, pool and costa coffee on the complex so parents have plenty of things to do whilst they wait for their child to finish class.

The school is run by Alys Spencer. Alys trained at the prestigious Millennium Performing Arts School, London in musical theatre, dance, acting and singing under the direction of Jacki Mitchell, Donald Mclennan, and Ikky Mass. Alys Spencer’s teachers include Mary King (current judge for singer of the year competition), Nikki Woolaston (west end choreographer of On the town, Margerite and Oklahoma and assistant to Stephen Mear) and Richard Teverson (work includes The Mousetrap and Brideshead Re-visited) Her professional vocational training means Alys is fully equipped with the knowledge and skill to teach subjects of the performing arts to anyone willing to learn.

The singing workshop that has been created is a great way for children to become aware of singing techniques. It is a way of learning singing without the intensity of a private lesson, where one might not like the pressure of being the sole attributor of a teacher’s attention. Student’s confidence prospers from working in groups and other people hearing their singing. Every time a note is sung and a student does not get a negative reaction, or is lucky enough to gain a positive reaction confidence is boosted and they feel validated.

Alys Spencer understands the interests of her market and therefore teaches up to date songs such as Hannah Montana and The Jonas Brothers. Children in the workshop enjoy the experience of being able to act as their favourite pop stars for the two hours it takes place every week. No more hiding in the bedroom, singing into the mirror with a hairbrush in hand! Children can now perform with a microphone to their friends and family whilst singing the right notes and lyrics with a good technique!

Oasis Performing Arts musical theatre workshop is a new concept within schools of this nature. It allows students to learn all three performing disciplines and gain invaluable experience of moulding them together. Each week is a unique two hour musical theatre extravaganza! Students work to beat the clock in order to produce a mini musical performance at the end of the session. The class constantly moves back and forth between singing, dancing and drama. One minute they are clapping the songs rhythms and the next learning choreography. Students are forced to keep their brains switched on to keep up with the ever changing pace and focus of the workshop, subsequently gaining excellent focus and multi-tasking skills! Recent musicals that have been extracted from include ‘fame’, the students belted out the well known theme tune and high kicked their way through the energetic routine. High school musical has been performed, the children having the opportunity to be the ever popular Troy and Gabriella! The Oasis pupils have also attacked ‘Camp Rock’ in which they rock out with air guitars!

Everyone leaves this workshop feeling proud, both parents and students amazed at what they achieved! Seeing a full dance routine, complete with singing and acting achieved by young people in the space of two hours never fails to make the parents swell with pride.

By doing performing arts people develop confidence. If a child is shy sometime all they need is a few rounds of applause to bring them out of their shell! They become motivated and good under pressure, knowing you have to stand in front of an audience and perform is a sure fire way to get people working! There are many educational benefits to partaking in performing arts, however fun is always had and friends made! What better way to make friends than working together to create a pop band or musical – you will certainly have something in common and a talking point. Oasis creates a friendly, fun atmosphere where children are encouraged to be creative and parents are forced to have a coffee break, what more could anyone ask for!?