College Performing Artists Take the USA
This year in April, the College's Performing Arts Department headed out on an unforgettable trip to the United States, exploring the vibrant arts scenes of Los Angeles and New York. Divided into three specialised groups—drama, dance, and music—students immersed themselves in their respective disciplines, experiencing the rich performing arts in these iconic cities.
The dance group plunged into the high-energy world of American dance. They attended advanced classes at renowned studios like Broadway Dance Centre and Millennium Dance Studios. One pinch-me moment student Eilish Johns recalls was finding out in their advanced jazz class, several Rockettes were in attendance. They also had the opportunity to meet a current Rockette on their visit to Radio City Hall. Broadening their exposure to different dance styles, the group also attended a performance by the Martha Graham Dance Company. The trip ended on a high note for all dance, drama, and music students with a visit to Disneyland, which brought out the inner child in everyone and solidified the friendships formed during the trip.
The drama group took the variety of experiences on offer to delve into new acting techniques and workshops that expanded their theatrical skills. They learned the Meisner technique and participated in improvisation workshops that emphasised character creation and scene dynamics. They also enjoyed multiple theatre tours, with Carnegie Hall being a favourite due to its classical design and historical significance. Watching professional improv shows and Broadway shows such as ‘MJ’ and ‘Back to the Future’ proved to be a standard to aspire to in their next productions! The friendships among the students grew as they navigated the bustling streets of New York and the iconic sites of Los Angeles, creating some unforgettable memories.
New York could be considered one of the greatest training grounds for musicians, and our music students were given a glimpse of the possibilities available in the city. They visited Birdland, one of the world's most famous jazz clubs, where they watched an Afro-Latin jazz band perform. They also toured Juilliard, where they observed classes and rehearsals, gaining insights into the rigorous training of world-class musicians. In Los Angeles, they visited the Musicians Institute and even had the opportunity to record as a live band, broadening their understanding of different recording environments and techniques.
Each of the forty-seven students came away from their time in America with fresh inspiration for their crafts. Watching professionals in action, getting the chance to join them at times, and soaking in as much learning from those who have ‘made it’ left our students with something to aspire to.
The journey was filled with early wake-ups, time zone changes, and new experiences that pushed everyone out of their comfort zones. The students learned to adapt, support each other, and embrace the unexpected. The trip was made possible by the dedicated teachers Sara Standring, Geordan Wilcox, Dave Sheehan, Amelia Ayres, Tim Baker, and Ichiro Harada who guided and supported the students throughout.
