Youth Arts

 Athlone Youth Dance Festival Synergy & Light

This festival showcases the work that is undertaken by youth dance emsembles around Westmeath and offers the public an opportunity to interact with the art form. Athlone's Dance festival that throws a light on all that is dance and the synergy of movement, physicality and bodies.  Synergy and Light is one day festival devoted to all forms of movement from hip-hop, to salsa, jazz, contemporary, ballet, ballroom and the carnivale in which fantasy, dreams and creativity collide in action and form.
 
For queries on the 2013 programme contact:  Suzanne Hogan
Artist/Organiser via phone or email on 0868677164 or suzisavanah@gmail.com

Children’s Arts and Literary October Events

Westmeath County Library & Westmeath Arts Office join together to bring the best of local, national and international talent to young people in  Westmeath. Working with parents, schools and libraries throughout Westmeath, the Library Service and Arts Office bring together a wide range of events and workshops which allows children and young people to celebrate their creativity; and to explore and engage in new creative opportunities.

Midland Youth Orchestra

The Midlands Youth Orchestra is based in Kinnegad and provides an opportunity for the young people from various ensembles across the Midlands to perform together under conductor and director Vincent Hunt. They have played numerous concerts in various locations throughout the midlands as well as the National Concert Hall in Dublin. The Lir Youth Orchestra is the Westmeath Orchestra of the Midlands Youth Orchestra, both projects are supported by Westmeath County Council and Westmeath VEC.

Kindermusik Programme

A partnership initiative between Westmeath County Council and Westmeath VEC for young children to experience music with their parents. It is an innovative introductory music outreach programme specifically designed for pre-school children. The project is aimed at a variety of Parent/Child groups and the end performances are shared with the entire community. The project runs in Athlone, Mullingar and Kinnegad and is currently facilitated by Noel O’Farrell

Mullingar Arts Centre Youth Programme

Something for every child at the Mullingar Arts Centre!

Participation in the performing arts provides children with benefits you might never have considered. Aside from the immediate advantages gained by social interaction and working in an ensemble environment, children learn to improve their language and memorising skills, with obvious benefits to their general education.

Perhaps the most valuable single benefit, however, is the enhanced self-confidence which a child experiences from participation in the performing arts. Being able to stand up in front of an audience and present yourself with pride is a skill towards which many adults aspire. To acquire and perfect that expertise as a child is an invaluable asset in life.

Mullingar Arts Centre Youth Academy for the Performing Arts
Several years ago the Youth Academy for the Performing Arts was founded, in order to fulfil the creative aspirations of the teenagers in the Mullingar area. Incorporating the disciplines of Musical Theatre, Drama, Dance and Samba drumming; classes take place on Saturday afternoons, from 2.15pm to 5.30pm. Ages 13 – 17.

Mullingar Arts Centre Junior Academy for the Performing Arts
Due to the unprecedented success of the Youth Academy, there was such demand that a Junior Academy for the Performing Arts was founded, which incorporates the disciplines of Music, Drama and Dance; classes take place on Saturdays, from 10.00am to 12.00 noon and noon to 2.00pm. Ages 7 – 12.

Mullingar Arts Centre Kinder Academy for the Performing Arts
Our aspiring performers are getting younger, we proudly present the Kinder Academy for the Performing Arts, featuring tuition in the disciplines of Musical Theatre as well as Speech and Drama. Created specifically for children between the ages of three and six, it will perfectly prepare them for the Junior Academy. This means that there will be a structured programme of performing arts to nurture the talents of our children right the way through from three to eighteen. The Kinder Academy will operate on Tuesday afternoons from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. Ages 3 – 6.

Mullingar Arts Centre Academy of Rock
Catering for the children who wish to focus entirely on contemporary music, the Academy of Rock provides tuition in drums, keyboards, bass guitar and electric guitar; classes take place on Mondays, from 4.00pm to 8.30pm.

Dionysus School of Dance
Dionysus School of Dance will be well-known to many for their glittering show which is presented at the end of each year. The school operates from the Mullingar Arts Centre under the direction of Siobhán Murphy. Styles covered are a fusion of jazz, contemporary, classical, musical theatre and hip-hop dancing. Classes as follows: Tuesdays, 5.00pm to 7.00pm; Wednesdays, 4.00pm to 6.00pm; Fridays 3.30pm to 8.00pm; and Saturdays, 10.00am to 12 noon. Ages: from 5 up.

Ballet School
Ballet classes at the Mullingar Arts Centre are given by Patricia McDermott. The syllabus followed is that of the Royal Academy of Dance, and pupils are prepared for examinations which are conducted by the Academy. Grace, elegance and beauty can be seen each week at the Arts Centre, as our children are schooled in this classic art form. Classes take place on Thursdays, from 3.15pm to 8.45pm. Pre-primary – Grade 8.

Street Dance
Street dance is an art form which has exploded onto the scene in the last few years. It might have been a discipline unfamiliar to many, before the advent of Got To Dance and Diversity. This exciting and contemporary dance form is immediately identifiable by its energetic, acrobatic and athletic moves. Meghan Stasinowsky has an impressive background in dance and tuition, with experience gained in Dublin and Australia, and will have you popping, locking, crumping and jumping in your own unique style!Street Dance classes are on Mondays, from 4.00pm to 6.00pm.

Apollo School of Dance - disco and tap
The revival of the fashion, films and music of the 70s has been accompanied by a renewed interest in the disco moves which were so much part of that era. Riverdance and its various spin-offs – including the Michael Flatley phenomenon – have also sparked new interest in the moves of tap-dancing. Apollo School of Dance has been founded in response to the demand for tuition in these art forms. Meghan Stasinowsky will also be tutoring this group. Classes will take place on Mondays, 7.00pm to 9.00pm.

For further information about the new initiatives please ring Sean Lynch, on 044-934-7777, or call into the Mullingar Arts Centre. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday, from 9.00am to 9.30pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am to 6.00pm.

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