Students can learn to sing, dance, act at summer camp
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre School Director Susan DeParle is hoping young performers attending the company's 2007 summer camp will leave as "triple threats. "In show biz, the term "triple threat" means that a performer has three important skills: they can sing, dance and act. This summer, classes and activities in those three skills will be offered in two fun-filled camps held at the renovated Gwinnett Ballet Theatre studios in Snellville. Thespians between the ages of 6 and 12 are eligible to attend camp, where they will learn stage craft both in front of the lights and behind the curtains from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
"Campers will be up to their elbows in stage craft," said DeParle, herself a veteran of many musical performances. "Daily lessons will be taught by professionally trained teachers. Campers will learn and rehearse a performance to be showcased at the end of the week for parents and friends." For younger campers, it's Camp Imagination. Children ages 3 to 6 will spend mornings from 9 a.m. to noon experiencing everything and anything creative: storytellers, crafts, creative movement, music, singing and more. Once again, children are guided by professionally trained teachers.
Professionals teaching these campers have some impressive credentials. Chalis Pomeroy will be teaching voice. She maintains a teaching studio at Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, where she sends out many award-winning young singers who have won scholarships to places including the prestigious Belmont School of Music. Many of her students have also been cast in regional theater productions. Pomeroy herself has performed with the Capitol City Opera, touring in its production of "Hansel and Gretel." She has also performed with Atlanta's highly touted New Trinity Baroque classical music ensemble.
Teaching drama will be Maria Karres. Karres has received many accolades, including being named Choreographer of the Year by Marietta's Tip Top Theatre. She holds a degree in performance studies from the University of North Carolina, and she specializes in working with older children in the field of drama. "Maria is great with kids," DeParle said. "She taught drama in camp last year, and the kids really love her." DeParle said one of her favorite memories from last year's showbiz-themed camp was helping the students with a craft project. "I remember all of these little children being covered head-to-toe in glue as they made their papier-mache masks. They were all so happy and adorable! If we can give these children a fun and educational camp experience with the arts, it will stick with them forever!"
Two sessions of each of the camps will be offered. Session I will be held from June 18-22, and Session II will be from July 16-20. Children can attend either or both weeks.
