THE BENEFITS OF THE PERFORMING ARTS

“I have felt very privileged to work with Dover Court over the last four years, and it is a pleasure to be welcomed back in person. The drama teachers at DCIS are passionate, accomplished educators and it is wonderful to get the chance to talk about big ideas in teaching and learning”

Stephanie Cunningham, Nord Anglia Juilliard Drama Specialist from New York

Creativity and innovation

Creating, interpreting and improvising are at the core of the Juilliard-Nord Anglia Performing Arts Programme. Through the study of music and drama (which encourage experimentation, occasional failure, lateral thinking etc.) students can stretch or surpass the boundaries of traditional education. Every experience in the classroom, studio or the theatre teaches students to act independently and use their bodies to create and innovate in the moment.

Self-confidence and presentation skills

Through the performing arts, children learn to communicate effectively and connect with others intellectually and emotionally. With performance and repetition, children acquire skills such as poise, focus and overcoming anxiety, best preparing them for presenting, communicating and leading in the future.

A medium for self-expression

The performing arts can encourage your child to explore their emotions, expanding their imagination and helping them develop their own, unique voice. Each discipline, music, dance and drama, engage a child’s brain, body and emotions in different ways to encourage their confidence and find joy in self-expression.

Empathy and compassion

Performing arts help students to learn the crucial skill of understanding diverse points of view which helps them to learn empathy and compassion for others. Experiences such as embodying character, portraying an emotion physically, and singing another person’s lyrics, illustrate how music, dance and drama each accomplish this in a different way.

Cultural awareness and appreciation

Learning to appreciate and engage in music and drama from different cultures, communities and traditions is an important component in helping your child develop into a true global citizen.

Physical and personal development

Alongside physical education, the performing arts help children with body control, awareness and fitness, encouraging positive lifestyle choices and helping to inculcate the habits of health and wellbeing.

Improved academic outcomes

Several findings, including NAE’s globally-conducted pupil survey and parent survey, demonstrate that children studying music and drama are more proficient in reading, writing and mathematics. In countries with students that rank highly in these subjects, such as Japan, Hungary and the Netherlands, arts and music education form a mandatory part of a school’s curriculum. Other studies show children exposed to all three performing arts are happier, more engaged and enjoy going to school — all of which contribute to their future success.