DREAM BELIEVE ACHIEVE
Life skills, resilience, building confidence through music, drama & presentation skills
With a very different focus to a theatre school or a typical speech & drama class, the main objectives are to build confidence and develop life and social skills in a fun-filled, no-pressure atmosphere. For this reason the classes are non-exam focused and are restricted to 12 children per class (or 11 for the 3-5 year olds) to allow for plenty of encouragement and individual attention. Students build a strong bond within the group, therefore creating a safe environment for taking steps outside their comfort zone. Public speaking, presentation skills, musical performance, social skills, coping skills, assertiveness and self-belief are explored through music and drama. Parents are encouraged to talk to the teachers about their children’s progress and any day to day issues that arise in the children’s lives can be explored in the class. Each group of children perform a separate annual concert for families and friends, where every student has the opportunity to stand in the spotlight and perform a couple of chosen solo pieces along with some public speaking worked on throughout the year. The concert also serves as a showcase for social skills and other life skills learned throughout the year. While many love to perform, others need lots of individual encouragement and support. Each of our teachers are totally committed to each child, providing the care and genuine interest that is required to help them achieve their goals. This course is suited to all types of personalities and abilities and attracts as many boys as girls.
There are three elements which comprise the content of the classes:
Students choose from a range of poetry/monologues and songs. They work on one piece at a time with a view to gaining the confidence to perform them – not only for their class but to a wider audience. Within the small groups, students encourage and support each another – which is important for building confidence. (ii) Students work on a short play throughout the year in preparation for performing it at their annual class concert. From Junior Level (6-8 year olds) upwards, the students learn the skill of presenting: from a starting point of speaking for one minute on any topic they wish. The techniques we use are the same ones used in many of the communication skills centres for adults.
Every two weeks the class will focus on a particular life skill theme and this will be explored through discussion, role play and improvisation. Students learn to look outside of themselves; to respect and understand other people’s ideas, attitudes and approaches. Acting out day-to-day scenarios results in children processing their own and others’ behaviour in both enjoyable and potentially challenging situations. They learn how to be assertive in such situations without being aggressive and they form opinions on all sorts of things gaining a broader perspective on life. They become more emotionally intelligent and self aware. Examples of life skills themes include empathy, understanding and relating to older people, passive, aggressive and assertive behaviour, managing friendships, appreciating different opinions and personalities, managing stress & anxiety. This is valuable training in preparing children for the inevitable challenges of secondary school life.
An optional annual theatre outing is organised to encourage a love of theatre. Very often it is arranged for the children and their parents to meet cast members backstage and experience being on the set. This enables students to learn first-hand, how a show is produced from a “backstage” point of view.
Musical Theatre & Hip Hop Dance for Children & Teens
Ages 3 – 17yrs
Weekly sessions throughout the academic year
Students have an hour of singing, acting, stage technique and through the medium of drama specific life skill’s themes are explored each week. The second hour of the class is dance/hip hop training. Even though there are larger numbers in this class, great care is taken to give each student equal opportunity to develop further talent. The emphasis is on building confidence and having fun rather than creating ‘little stars’, however, if suitable, plenty of opportunities for auditioning for, and performing in professional shows are available along with the preparation and support throughout the process. Indeed, many of the students have enjoyed great success in this regard. All students will work towards performing in the fully costumed annual show at The Mill Theatre, Dundrum, where all children are treated equally regardless of their standard of performance. While training of the highest standard is provided, the school prides itself on its focus on the well-being and encouragement of each child’s development, to prepare them for the inevitable challenges of life.
Musical Theatre & Hip Hop Dance for Teenagers
Ages 12-18
Weekly sessions throughout the academic year
Students have an hour of singing, acting, stage technique and through the medium of drama specific life skill’s themes are explored each week. The second hour of the class is dance/hip hop training. Even though there are larger numbers in this class, great care is taken to give each student equal opportunity to develop further talent. The emphasis is on building confidence and having fun rather than creating ‘little stars’, however, if suitable, plenty of opportunities for auditioning for, and performing in professional shows are available along with the preparation and support throughout the process. Indeed, many of the students have enjoyed great success in this regard. All students will work towards performing in the fully costumed annual show at The Mill Theatre, Dundrum, where all children are treated equally regardless of their standard of performance. While training of the highest standard is provided, the school prides itself on its focus on the well-being and encouragement of each child’s development, to prepare them for the inevitable challenges of life.
Contact Us
If you would like further information, or wish to discuss your child’s needs, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you are ready to book, please use the online form below.
Parent Testimonials
Learnt and grown so much since September…
Hi Mel- a huge congratulations to you and all the team. What a show- we were blown away by the whole thing but especially the joy and energy of every single performer. Your words had me in tears and I totally agree. Sofia has learnt and grown so much since September and that all starts with you. We really can’t thank you enough. I hope you have a nice glass of something tonight to celebrate a wonderful year and performances! Lisa xxxx
I’ll never be able to thank you enough…
Feeling emotional. Emily has come so far under you’re stewardship from the time you took her on in 2013 when she was just 5. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for all you’ve done for her and for us. This is not goodbye!
The most amazing experience…
Hi Mel, I wanted to say a massive thank you for giving all the children, but especially Chloe, the most amazing experience. She was very close to pulling out a few times in the lead-up so we’re just so thrilled she found her courage & went for it, and really enjoyed herself. That kind of life experience is just so invaluable & I know it wouldn’t have happened without all the support & kindness you & all your fabulous team show her. Your speech was so on the money about building their confidence & the show itself was superb, I hope you’re all feeling very proud of yourselves this morning. Thanks so much again & have a fantastic summer. Jxxx
They enjoyed their moment of stardom…
Mel we just loved them! They were absolutely brilliant. Just gorgeous! Each and every one of the children were shining stars! There was huge excitement from my two and they thoroughly enjoyed their moment of stardom! Delighted with themselves coming home! thank u!! xx Clíona.
You all did an amazing job…
A massive thanks to you Mel and team too. You all did an amazing job pulling the shows together, and I’m sure what I witnessed backstage as a chaperone was just the tip of the iceberg in terms of effort and commitment you put in for our children. Thank you so much!
Adored every minute…
I wanted to (a little later than planned) say thank you and congratulations on the fabulous show last weekend. Holly adored every minute as evidence by her massive smile when performing! Her granny and aunties as well as little sister all loved it. All were raving about your message. Holly absolutely loves your class and we are delighted to have found you
Truly spectacular…
Hi Mel, now that the dust has settled a bit and hopefully you are recovering from the chaos, I just wanted to say the show was truly spectacular. It was such an emotional night on Sunday and you nailed it on the head talking about the downcast pandemic teenagers (of which mine was one ) who just blossomed on stage. It was so good to see them confident and happy. Kate loved every minute of the whole weekend, it was spectacular in every way. Thank you for your hard work and dedication and that of your team. Xx
An unforgettable day for our family…
Yesterday was an unforgettable day for our family in Ireland ! Your show was an amazing experience ! Actually your philosophy of teaching is so inspiring! I would like to do Mel adult dance classes ! Wonderful ! Thank you so much
Loved every minute…
Mel I just wanted to send a little text to say thank u so much for what ur school did for Elsie and Benji during the year! They loved every minute of each class and what a fabulous way to finish the year with the amazing shows over the weekend!
The best of times…
Dear Mel – what a weekend. Lauren has the best of times on Sat, she loved being part of the group & showcasing their talents:) Thank you and all your team so much – you’re all so fab, patient and kind as well as so talented. She’s looking forward to the seniors camp on the afternoons of w/c 25th July. In the meantime enjoy a little breather – so well deserved
Genuine positive emotion…
Hi Mel. Thanks for a wonderful event this evening. All the performers were brilliant and more importantly they all seemed so happy and energised by the whole experience. You were great on stage – nice to see some genuine positive emotion – would being a tear to my eyes too. Thanks again Yvonne Doyle – Ciara’s mum x
Looking forward to next year…
We really look forward for Sahansh to spend time under your tutelage next year and many more and grow up as a responsible and kind human being !!! Thank you!
Inclusion, equality and kindness…
Congratulations Mel on the successful concert at such a large scale! We really appreciate you taking time to speak about the ethos of inclusion, equality and kindness. How important it is to include this in the upbringing of the kids and reminding ourselves as adults as well.
Absolutely loved it…
Hey Mel, I just wanted to say a huge thanks. Mae absolutely loved it and I was so impressed with how much effort your whole team put to in and how much support and attention they gave to all the kids. Hope you get lots of rest this week to recover. Take care Tara
So inspiring…
Honestly what you do for children is actually so inspiring I showed Lisa your speech to explain the school she cried ! So it’s the least I can do to say thank you Mel xxxx
About Mel Ryan
Mel studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, The Gaiety School of Acting, The Bill Keating Centre for TV Presentation Skills and Carr Communications.
She has been playing leading roles in The Gaiety Theatre, The National Concert Hall, The Olympia Theatre, The Cork Opera House, The Wexford Opera House among others in Ireland for over 30 years. She has also presented many concerts in the National Concert Hall, The Pavilion Theatre and Jury’s Hotel. TV, Radio and Film Credits include: The Late Late Show, Prime Time, Theatre Nights (all for RTE), the Mum in Turkle (RTE), Mother in Fantabulous! (IADT), Stella in Aisling’s Diary (CR Productions/RTE) and Aine in Graham Jones’s latest feature film, Davin. Commercials for Supervalue, A1 Waste, Meteor, Vodafone, Ebookers and Moypark Chicken and Pinergy (RTE/ TV3).
Mel founded the school in 2011 with two students and is proud to say that the school now has nearly 500 students in six venues in South County Dublin. She has three grown up children and has always had a special interest in mentoring young people. She is completely dedicated to helping them believe in themselves and to feel that they are capable of achieving more than they realise. She is also very passionate about supporting teenagers through the challenges and pressure of secondary school years.
