Back to School

2016

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2 B A C K T O S C H O O L , M U S I C & D A N C E … A N D M O R E ! S U P P L E M E N T T O T H E W I N N I P E G F R E E P R E S S T H U R S D A Y, A U G U S T 11 , 2 0 1 6 Why Choose Long & McQuade? Music lessons for all ages, stages and styles. Professional instructors make learning fun. Convenient lesson times for busy families. No registration fees. Affordable instrument rentals. Where the Music Begins Long & McQuade? No registration fees. Affordable instrument rentals. 651 Stafford St - 204.284.5180 winnipeglessons@long-mcquade.com Register For Music Lessons Today. Piano Woodwinds Guitar Violin Drums Bass & more Voice By Jennifer McFee | Winnipeg Free Press Although it's back to the books for students, ample learning opportunities also exist outside the classroom. A t Manitoba Theatre for Young People, kids of all ages can sign up for programs set for Saturdays and weeknights. For Thomas Toles, theatre school drama outreach co-ordinator, it's easy to see the benefits of theatre classes for kids of all ages. "What's great about our programming is that for each age there's a lot of room for development and there's a lot of variety," Toles says. "The idea is that students can come back year after year and get different experiences. They can build towards the more ambitious courses once they're ready to put on a full-scale performance." For wee ones aged four to six, the focus is mainly on creative drama and puppet making. Then for kids aged seven to 12, the junior division provides a wide range of options including classes focused on improv, Shakespeare, acting and musical theatre. The curriculum- based cumulative courses wrap up with a presentation to showcase what the students learned. This year, junior students can also audition for extracurricular shows, with rehearsals outside of class time. For teens, classes range from beginner level to more advanced audition-based opportunities. Teens can also hone their skills in specific areas such as filmmaking, monologues, back stage and props. No matter what age or stage, MTYP students can look forward to discovering the joy of self-expression. "They learn that using creativity and your imagination is not just enjoyable but also a liberating experience," Toles says. "Finding your voice, learning how to make yourself heard and understood, empathizing with different characters — all of these skills are essential for the real world and they can be taught in an engaging and hands-on way, which is awesome." Similarly, at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, students benefit from expressing their creativity and discovering new talents during 10-week sessions on Saturdays. Diane Lafournaise, WAG studio manager, says extracurricular art classes can enhance what the students might be learning at school. "Not every school has a drawing or an art program. For myself growing up, I was artistically minded and not all of the teachers are. But the instructors here are practising artists so they can pass along their knowledge to the young students," Lafournaise says. "I think that it gives them a leg up in terms of being able to express themselves. They can learn about what looks good in a painting or sharpen their drawing skills and learn how to plan things." Five- and six-year-olds can sign up for drawing and painting, as well as mixed media. For seven- to nine-year- olds, they can try their hand at clay works, drawing and painting, and mixed media. Ten- to 14-year-olds can focus on animation, drawing, mixed media and clay works. For the first time this year, a new course called Fashion Arts is available for this age group to learn fashion illustration and hands-on skills. "It's learning hand-sewing skills and altering some clothing that you already have," Lafournaise says. "There's a real DIY interest in crafting and altering and personalizing your clothing, so I'm hoping that this will appeal to people who like to do that." In addition to art classes, the WAG studio is also hosting a series of evening workshops called MakerLabs with local artisans and crafters. Many of the programs are open to youngsters with adult accompaniment. As well, monthly Family Fusion events allow participants to make art with instructors and visit the gallery. Beyond artistic expression, art classes also allow students to develop transferable skills such as problem solving. "It sparks their imagination and acts like a springboard for a lot of other areas," Lafournaise says. "People think art is a frill, but art is about creating your own world." For more information, visit wag.ca or mtyp.ca. Programming at both the Manitoba Theatre for Young People and the WAG Studio offers kids opportunities to have fun, express themselves and learn in ways that complement their regular classroom learning. Manitoba Theatre for Young People photo Manitoba Theatre for Young People photo WAG Studio photo WAG Studio photo Celebrating 20 Years Of Dance 204.255.8486 www.marquisdance.ca LIKE US ON FOLLOW US ON & @MARQUIS_DANCE • Win one year of free dance ($550 value) • Tour the facility • Meet the teachers • Dance demonstrations • Complementary coffee & hot chocolate from Tim Hortons REGISTER ONLINE www.marquisdance.ca Classes start Sept 6 th ! GRAND OPENING! THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 ST 6 PM TO 9 PM 55 SAGE CREEK BLVD (OFF LAGIMODIERE BLVD) "Finding your voice, learning how to make yourself heard and understood, empathizing with different characters — all of these skills are essential for the real world and they can be taught in an engaging and hands-on way, which is awesome."

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