Call for youth to enrol in arts

A Stawell district organisation dedicated to promoting performing arts in the region has called for enrolments in programs for young performers.

Stawell Performing Arts Company runs two programs for young performers – SPACI Little Ones for ages five to nine and SPACI Young Ones for ages eight to 17.

The programs are designed to help youngsters build skills for the stage including singing in parts and harmonies, movement and stagecraft, public speaking as well as confidence and creativity.

The Young Ones program presents an annual stage show at the Stawell Entertainment Centre at the end of the second school term each year.

This year’s show, Sing Me A Story, attracted an audience of more than 400 primary school students and teachers as well as 65 people from the general community.

Young Ones also performs at Christmas carols and other Stawell district events throughout the year, with many members building their abilities to perform in larger SPACI, school and regional productions.

Program leader Dianne Stewart said she was inspired to create the program for young people in the region because she believed in the powerful positive effect that being involved in the arts, particularly singing in groups, had on young people.

She said she had been encouraged by the ideas and ideologies of highly recognised music educators such as the late Richard Gill and Choir of Hard Knocks founder Johnathan Welsh.

She said anyone keen to know more about Stawell Performing Arts Company programs or performances could visit a Facebook page or email spaci@outlook.com to request a calendar of events.