WHY DID WE CHOOSE THIS PHOTO?
This camper is being coached by one of our staff members at the end of session Arts Showcase rehearsal. She is a wonderful singer, but the rock ensemble’s performance of Signed Sealed Delivered was not show ready. Musical skill alone is not enough to ensure a successful performance. Our staff is reminding her of the importance of smiling, connecting with the audience, and believing what she is singing, in making her performance convincing and enjoyable for both her and her audience.
At our camp, achieving high levels of artistic success is important, but developing the confidence to stand on stage and command the attention of an audience is even more so. Developing performance skills has many benefits beyond entertaining a crowded theatre or concert hall. From helping children get over the fear of participation in class discussions, to being calm, concise and persuasive during job interviews and in presentations in future careers, performance skills are a must!
The best way to gain confidence on the stage is practice. We believe in providing multiple opportunities for kids to try performing in front of groups and giving them feedback to help improve their skills. It is incredible what a positive transformational change this can make in a child’s own self image. The performance skills we learn through the arts are the performance skills necessary for success in life. This is what we teach at Horizon Arts Camp.
