Many advantages to better performance skills

Teacher Denise Henderson leads young performers at the Musicool theatre and dance summer school in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.

Young stars of the future are honing their stagecraft and performance skills at the Musicool theatre and dance summer school in Dunedin this week.

''It's about encouraging performance confidence in children, building their confidence up so they can get on a stage,'' teacher Denise Henderson said yesterday.

''They learn singing, drama, dance, tap dance and hip hop. They get a bit of everything. It also encourages confidence across all spectrums of life, even for things later on, like job interviews.

''We're looking at doing this all year round, because I think there's a real need for it.''

More than 50 children are taking part in the school daily. Performers aged 8 to 11 train in the mornings and 12- to 17-year-olds in the afternoons.

''This course gives young people the confidence and life skills to perform in school, repertory and operatic shows,'' teacher Bridget Telfer said.

The troupe will stage a charity concert at 7pm on Saturday, at Coronation Hall, in Mosgiel. Entry is by gold-coin donation, and all proceeds will go to the Sophie Elliott Foundation.