Hartley School of Performing Arts

About

Performing Arts School. Offering Classes in Drama, Singing and several Dance forms for students aged 4-adult. Presents Two major stage musicals each year

Story

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 classes:

Drama
New Entrant Drama – These classes cover creativity, communication, poetry, characterisation, physicality 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 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

Junior Drama – Our 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- Students learn basics of voice production, improvisation and stage skills. 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.

Senior Drama – 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 – Trios, Pairs or Solo 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.

Singing
Junior Glee Club Singing – 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 a recording session and being part of the Major Production as well as other recital opportunities.

Intermediate Glee Club Singing – 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. The year includes a recording session and being part of the Major Production as well as other recital opportunities.

Senior Elite Singing – An auditioned 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. Student get the chance to record, perform at local events and be part of the Major Senior Production. Experience with radio and hand held microphones and solo singing is included.

Singing Technique – open to Senior Elite singers. A small group session designed to compliment the Elite Singing session. For solo singers who wish to fine tune their technique and improve their range and singing style.

Dance - Hip Hop
Junior & Intermediate Hip Hop–These classes are performance based, students learn all of the skills, warm up and bar work where appropriate along with fun routines. Students will be involved in several performances across the year including our Major Production and a Music Video and can sit a medal test if they wish.

Senior Hip Hop Dance Crew – A fun but intense class with a focus on strong performance. Students build skills, learn the style as well as several fast paced routines they get to perform at local events as well as in our Major Senior Production. Students may opt to create a music video or compete in Hip Hop competitions when available and can sit a medal test if they wish.

Dance - Jazz
Junior & Intermediate Jazz - A performance based class, where student learn all of the transferable skills of Jazz dance. Barre work, technique and fun routines make up the class which gets the chance to perform at various times, including our Major production as well as creating a music video. While we do not offer exams, medal tests are possible.

Dance - Contemporary Lyrical
Senior - A performance based class, where student learn all of the transferable skills of Contemporary dance. Barre work, technique and fun routines make up the class which gets the chance to perform at various events throughout the year, including our Major production as well as creating a music video. Medal tests are possible if the students would like to.

Dance - Tap
Junior Tap– A performance based class, learning basic steps and rhythms along to some fun routines. All students get the chance to take part in several performances across the year including our Major production and a Music Video and can sit a medal test if they wish.

Adult Tap– A fun and energetic class designed to build skills and fitness in a fun environment. Great routines prepared across the year for performance in local events as well as our End of Year Event. No exams sat, but all the basics will be taught.

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.