Speech and Drama Classes
Classes take place during term-time on a weekly basis and are available to children aged from 7 to 18. Children are taught in small groups of no more than six, in a comfortable and intimate setting in Weybridge, Surrey. Classes range from 60 minutes up to 90 minutes and can be organised in a way that is flexible for you and your child.
We tailor our classes to suit the individual needs of your child, whether they are a budding performer looking to pursue a professional career, or if they simply want a fun class that can help build their confidence and develop skills that will carry them through life! We are unique in that we do not have to adhere to a set curriculum, and thus can teach the skills that your child really needs.
We focus on developing individuality through the use of drama, such as short improvisations and working on scripted scenes together in an informal setting, and through developing a strong and clear voice that can propel them through life. If your child speaks too fast or struggles to make themselves understood, Celia can help them develop their vocal technique through a focus on articulation, projection, intonation, pitch, pace, and pace, which can assist them both in a theatrical setting and in wider life.
In addition, children are able to take LAMDA examinations in the Summer and Autumn terms (last year our pass rate was 100%, with 77% achieving Distinction!) in either Verse and Prose, Spoken English, Public Speaking, Reading for Performance, Acting, or Shakespeare. These exams use what the child learns throughout the year whilst giving them a qualification which can enhance University applications.
Foundation Techniques
Relaxation - Relaxation is a vital skill for a performer. Relaxation in this sense is defined as the absence of physical and mental tension, which is important, as tension can lead to straining of vocal chords, potentially leading to a shaky and strained voice, or even long-term damage. Celia can teach your child relaxation techniques, such as meditation or progressive muscle relaxation, which can assist them to maintain a calm energy on stage, as well as helping them to deal with external stress.
Posture and Movement - Ensuring correct spinal alignment helps to release any tension you might be holding, which links back to the benefits of relaxation. It also reduces fatigue as standing correctly reduces stress and tear on the muscles and ligaments and allows you to move more efficiently. The way you move and hold yourself is integral to the way that you are perceived by others; Celia can teach your child to move without inhibitions and to hold themselves confidently, whilst giving them the skills to correct their posture, a necessity in today's world where we spend so much time bent over screens!
Breathing - Breath control is the foundation of all vocal work. Celia will teach your child intercostal diaphragmatic breathing, which, with practice, will increase the breath capacity and control, allowing them the ability to project and produce a strong quality of sound, as well as having other health benefits, such as reduced blood pressure, increased tolerance to stress, and better lung health.
Vocal Quality and Projection - Celia can provide your child with the skills they need to improve their vocal quality and tone, as well as the ability to project their voice in a way that is suitable for the space. This is important to performers, as well as being a useful presentation skill for professionals.
Articulation - Articulation involves the production of clear and distinct sounds in speech; there are various reasons why someone might struggle with articulation, but regardless of the cause, Celia can work closely with your child to identify any problems they may have with their speech, and can then give them exercises to help them to improve. Whilst correct articulation varies according to the accent of the speaker, Celia focuses on ensuring that a child is capable of producing the sounds expected of a Standard English accent, even if they choose to speak in their own accent.
Modulation - Modulation is the ability to vary the strength, tone, and pitch of your voice in order to convey meaning. It is a vital skill for a performer, as well as being an important skill for life. Someone who is skilled at modulation can make themselves understood more easily, whilst coming across as a more interesting and dynamic speaker.
We tailor our classes to suit the individual needs of your child, whether they are a budding performer looking to pursue a professional career, or if they simply want a fun class that can help build their confidence and develop skills that will carry them through life! We are unique in that we do not have to adhere to a set curriculum, and thus can teach the skills that your child really needs.
We focus on developing individuality through the use of drama, such as short improvisations and working on scripted scenes together in an informal setting, and through developing a strong and clear voice that can propel them through life. If your child speaks too fast or struggles to make themselves understood, Celia can help them develop their vocal technique through a focus on articulation, projection, intonation, pitch, pace, and pace, which can assist them both in a theatrical setting and in wider life.
In addition, children are able to take LAMDA examinations in the Summer and Autumn terms (last year our pass rate was 100%, with 77% achieving Distinction!) in either Verse and Prose, Spoken English, Public Speaking, Reading for Performance, Acting, or Shakespeare. These exams use what the child learns throughout the year whilst giving them a qualification which can enhance University applications.
Foundation Techniques
Relaxation - Relaxation is a vital skill for a performer. Relaxation in this sense is defined as the absence of physical and mental tension, which is important, as tension can lead to straining of vocal chords, potentially leading to a shaky and strained voice, or even long-term damage. Celia can teach your child relaxation techniques, such as meditation or progressive muscle relaxation, which can assist them to maintain a calm energy on stage, as well as helping them to deal with external stress.
Posture and Movement - Ensuring correct spinal alignment helps to release any tension you might be holding, which links back to the benefits of relaxation. It also reduces fatigue as standing correctly reduces stress and tear on the muscles and ligaments and allows you to move more efficiently. The way you move and hold yourself is integral to the way that you are perceived by others; Celia can teach your child to move without inhibitions and to hold themselves confidently, whilst giving them the skills to correct their posture, a necessity in today's world where we spend so much time bent over screens!
Breathing - Breath control is the foundation of all vocal work. Celia will teach your child intercostal diaphragmatic breathing, which, with practice, will increase the breath capacity and control, allowing them the ability to project and produce a strong quality of sound, as well as having other health benefits, such as reduced blood pressure, increased tolerance to stress, and better lung health.
Vocal Quality and Projection - Celia can provide your child with the skills they need to improve their vocal quality and tone, as well as the ability to project their voice in a way that is suitable for the space. This is important to performers, as well as being a useful presentation skill for professionals.
Articulation - Articulation involves the production of clear and distinct sounds in speech; there are various reasons why someone might struggle with articulation, but regardless of the cause, Celia can work closely with your child to identify any problems they may have with their speech, and can then give them exercises to help them to improve. Whilst correct articulation varies according to the accent of the speaker, Celia focuses on ensuring that a child is capable of producing the sounds expected of a Standard English accent, even if they choose to speak in their own accent.
Modulation - Modulation is the ability to vary the strength, tone, and pitch of your voice in order to convey meaning. It is a vital skill for a performer, as well as being an important skill for life. Someone who is skilled at modulation can make themselves understood more easily, whilst coming across as a more interesting and dynamic speaker.
The Benefits of Speech and Drama
Self-Confidence Through performing and working in a group, children develop the confidence they need to pursue their goals. The skills they learn allow them to present themselves in a physically confident manner, with a voice worth listening to, meaning they can grow and develop as fully-rounded young adults.
Resilience to Stress Drama provides an emotional outlet and allows children to explore their ideas and emotions in a safe environment. They learn how to fail in a way that encourages growth, rather than stagnation, and through the development of relaxation techniques, they can learn to cope with the stresses of life.
Improved Communication Skills Speech and Drama teaches your child how to communicate in a way that helps to get their meaning across easily, and working in a group teaches them how to appraise a situation and approach it in a calm and controlled manner that facilitates communication. Through exploring texts and characters, they'll develop their empathy, which in turn will make them a better team-player capable of understanding that there are often numerous points of views. This in turn leads to them developing respect for others.
Improved Thinking Skills Their work will stimulate their imagination and creativity, which in turn will make them better problem solvers. As they study literature, they''ll learn about the importance of literary techniques such as verse form, which they can then apply to their future studies, cultivating a greater appreciation for literature and an understanding of its impact upon wider culture. This in turn will enrich their vocabulary, once more making them more effective communicators.
Resilience to Stress Drama provides an emotional outlet and allows children to explore their ideas and emotions in a safe environment. They learn how to fail in a way that encourages growth, rather than stagnation, and through the development of relaxation techniques, they can learn to cope with the stresses of life.
Improved Communication Skills Speech and Drama teaches your child how to communicate in a way that helps to get their meaning across easily, and working in a group teaches them how to appraise a situation and approach it in a calm and controlled manner that facilitates communication. Through exploring texts and characters, they'll develop their empathy, which in turn will make them a better team-player capable of understanding that there are often numerous points of views. This in turn leads to them developing respect for others.
Improved Thinking Skills Their work will stimulate their imagination and creativity, which in turn will make them better problem solvers. As they study literature, they''ll learn about the importance of literary techniques such as verse form, which they can then apply to their future studies, cultivating a greater appreciation for literature and an understanding of its impact upon wider culture. This in turn will enrich their vocabulary, once more making them more effective communicators.
Cost for 2019
10 x 60 Minute Lessons (10 Week Term): £300 (or £270 per child for siblings.)
10 x 90 Minute Lessons (10 Week Term): £200 (or £180 per child for siblings.)
Celia is happy to allow your child, or children, to sit in on their first lesson for free to see how they get on. Contact Celia on 01932 226458 or email her at celiaandrews@yahoo.co.uk to arrange this.
10 x 90 Minute Lessons (10 Week Term): £200 (or £180 per child for siblings.)
Celia is happy to allow your child, or children, to sit in on their first lesson for free to see how they get on. Contact Celia on 01932 226458 or email her at celiaandrews@yahoo.co.uk to arrange this.
Term Dates for 2019
Tuesday Classes
Term Starts: 17th September
Half Term (Two weeks) - 22nd and 29th October OFF
Term Ends: 3rd December
Saturday Classes
Term Starts: 14th September
Half Term (Two Weeks) - 19th and 26th October OFF
Term Ends: 30th November
LAMDA EXAMINATIONS: Sunday 8th December
Term Starts: 17th September
Half Term (Two weeks) - 22nd and 29th October OFF
Term Ends: 3rd December
Saturday Classes
Term Starts: 14th September
Half Term (Two Weeks) - 19th and 26th October OFF
Term Ends: 30th November
LAMDA EXAMINATIONS: Sunday 8th December
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